Testing Spanish speakers presents certain challenges common to all testing circumstances involving test takers whose first language is not English. In addition, some unique challenges arise because there are many subpopulations of Spanish speakers both inside and outside of the United States. Spanish as spoken in Spain differs from that spoken in…

Generally speaking, the main purposes of second language tests are survey; didactic, psychological or sociological research; and evaluation, the latter being the concern of this paper. Evaluation tests measure the knowledge the learner has of the second or foreign languages, and may be subdivided into the following categories: (1) aptitude tests,…

This study inquired into the effect of testing on foreign language learning. The main question was: Do tests of communicative proficiency, when administered in lieu of currently prevailing discrete-point item tests, further the student's spontaneous communicative ability? Discussion of results indicates uses for both types of tests. (CHK)

A PLANNING CONFERENCE WAS HELD TO STUDY THE QUESTION OF EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDIZED FOREIGN LANGUAGE READING PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS. THE CONSENSUS OF THE CONFERENCE WAS THAT STANDARDIZED TESTS WERE NEEDED AND THAT THERE BE TWO FOLLOWUP PHASES TO THE PLANNING CONFERENCE. PHASE 1 WOULD CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE…

This bibliography is intended to provide a selective list of references on the cloze procedure and its application to teaching English as a second language. Part one of the bibliography includes seven general references on the cloze procedure in general, i.e., research reviews and bibliographies. These were chosen because they provide extensive…

These language testing guidelines--grouped according to the five categories of the oral language interview: grammar, comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, and language utilization (communicative competence)--are presented for the language proficiency examiner. Brief guidelines for assessment are given for each of five levels of proficiency,…

Underlying concepts and current issues in communicative testing are described, and several promising approaches to developing communicative tests are outlined. It is suggested that appropriate testing is likely to have dramatic effects on the format and content of foreign language curricula and on student motivation because of increased relevance.…

Defends the use of multiple-choice language tests against Pickering's criticism in a previous issue of this journal. (CHK)

An annotated bibliography of 22 tests designed for core French, French immersion, and native French speaking students includes information on intended test population, levels, test types, test construction, use history and statistics, and source. An index and directory of distributors are included. (MSE)

Discusses foreign language testing methods, particularly of receptive skills, and how the choice of method for any particular government agency is subject to the constraints imposed by the following factors: (1) method of correction, (2) ease of production and number of exam versions required, (3) content of the test, and (4) administration of the…

Summarizes some of the findings of recent study of tests designed to determine the English language proficiency of nonnative speakers. (CFM)

This three-part paper consists of: (1) an annotated bibliography of tests for English as a Second Language and for learning ability, (2) a bibliography about second language testing, and (3) a list of ten principles for test construction and administration for those who wish to write their own tests. The bibliographies are not exhaustive, but the…

The use of the cloze procedure by classroom teachers who are not extensively trained in testing in general or language testing in particular is discussed. Focal points are material selection for cloze; some technical aspects of construction and administration; insights about testing language students naive to cloze; reliability of cloze…

The twofold objective of this book is to enable the teacher of English to speakers of other languages both to improve his own classroom measures and to make sound assessments of standardized tests which he may from time to time be asked to select, administer, and interpret. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the general purposes and methods of language…

This bibliography includes most publications on the theory and practice of foreign language testing which have appeared since 1950. It does not include those referring to testing in the mother tongue. Parts 1 and 2 include other bibliographies on testing and a short selection of published tests which embody recent techniques. Part 3--the main…