Research on assessing English as a foreign language (EFL) development has been growing recently. However, empirical evidence from longitudinal analyses based on substantial samples is still needed. In such settings, tests for measuring language development must meet high standards of test quality such as validity, reliability, and objectivity, as…

There is a strong international demand for official certification of French competence. A range of tests are available to meet this goal. Among the recognized tests available for this purpose is the "DELF" ("Diplôme d'études en langue française"). The "DELF" has been awarded the Association of Language Testers in…

The ELO-L (Évaluation du langage oral chez l'enfant libanais) is the first norm-referenced language-screening test in Lebanon. It is an adaptation of the ELO, a French language-screening test. The ELO-L was normed on 1,718 children aged three to eight years and divided into eight age groups with a minimum of 100 participants in each group. It is…

This quantitative study focuses on the relationship between foreign language learners' aptitude and proficiency test scores. Four groups of 136 beginning students received six months of Initial Acquisition Training (IAT) in four different language categories, according to the level of complexity for an English speaker: French (Category I),…

Courses in Spoken English (SE) are yet to be acceptable in Indian universities because conducting session-end tests in SE is assumed to be logistically difficult and academically problematic. This article argues that it need not necessarily be so; session-end tests can be conducted just as in other courses. With voice recording, preferably a…

An investigation of the effects of integrative and instrumental motivation on the learning of French/English vocabulary demonstrated that both types of motivation facilitated learning, and that computer administration of an attitude/motivation test battery did not detract from the internal consistency reliability of the subscales. (19 references)…

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Discusses the concept of communicative competence in second language learning and various models for testing this skill. (AM)

Outlines stages followed in initial development of an attitude/motivation test battery to study individual differences associated with achievement in French and presents reliability and validity data. Focuses attention on procedures for test construction and evaluation of test adequacy. (Author/BK)

Two achievement tests in French are critically examined: one on the students' vocabulary after three years of French, and one designed for student placement. Both are found to be reliable. The validity of their content and construction is discussed. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Presents results of an investigation into the test-retest reliability of the short form of the Modern Language Aptitude Test, with Canadian samples. (AM)

Lack of emphasis on oral aspects of language in the Irish Leaving Certificate foreign language examinations has long been considered by teachers to be the chief reason for their inability to implement the aims of modern language teaching in Ireland. These aims are stated in the Department of Education's "Rules and Programme for Secondary…

A rating scale was developed that could be used to test Raynor's construct of perceived instrumentality--that the perceived importance of a particular achievement (such as a good grade) to the student's future (career) influences the student's efforts to achieve the goal. The scale was developed to study the perceived importance of learning French…

A discussion of those examinations which mark one's advance from one educational level to the next, and those which are required for attainment of an academic degree. The topics addressed are test "infidelity," lack of validity, and their harmfulness on several levels. Some remedies are suggested. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Looks at the large-scale experiments on the testing of oral proficiency in English, French, and German that have been carried out over the last five years in the Swedish gymnasium. Various kinds of tasks and different grading criteria have been used, and the practical problems of scheduling and of teacher training have been discussed. (nine…