The vast majority of second language teachers feels confident about their instructional performance and does not usually have much difficulty with their teaching thanks to their professional training and accumulated classroom experience. Nonetheless, many second language teachers may not have received sufficient training in test development to…

This paper examines the quality of tests that Hong Kong teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) produce for their own EFL students. The paper examines the effects on graduate teachers of a language testing programme where participants produced objective tests, proceeding through the stages of test specification, moderation, and item…

The experiment described here was designed to find out which of two methods of testing--blank-filling and translation--gave the more accurate guide to linguistic ability. Two tests were devised to elicit identical correct answers using different means (blank-filling and translation). They were administered to two different classes of Guinean lycee…

Examines objectivity as a criterion for excellency in language tests through a critical presentation of the characteristics of objective tests. This examination leads to a discussion of what the best approach to testing language might be, endorsing a combination of integrative and objective techniques. (Author/MES)

Some of the pitfalls in the construction of multiple choice tests are discussed and examples of invalid questions given. (RM)

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

The development and validation of a test of listening comprehension for English as a second language at the Dutch National Institute for Educational Measurement (Cito) is described. The test uses two distinct item formats: true-false items and modified cloze items with two options. Both item formats were found to measure foreign language listening…