Discussion of six potential sources of anxiety in the second language classroom, student manifestations of anxiety, and possible remedies covers such areas as personal and interpersonal anxieties, learner beliefs about language learning, instructor beliefs about language teaching, instructor-learner interactions, classroom procedures, and language…

Recent initiatives in second language testing theory, practice, and research are reviewed, including test specificity, relevance, accuracy, multidimensional assessment, and the test's link to instruction, and their relevance to language teaching is discussed. Special attention is given to Canadian contributions to the field. (63 references)…

Argues that study, research, and discussion is needed to determine more specifically how large-scale writing assessment has influenced curriculum and instruction in two-year colleges. Discusses the image of the two-year college, the intent of statewide assessment, faculty attitudes, and the lack of evidence of the impact of assessment upon…

The aim of the present study was to develop a model for a criterion-referenced mastery reading comprehension test for university English-as-a-foreign-language courses. The research confirmed the hypothesized relationship between learners' needs, reading tasks, course content and their cumulative contribution to the formulation of the criteria of a…

In light of the growing need for individuals to be assessed or assess themselves on workplace learning, the different notions of reliability and validity in classical test theory are examined as they might apply to work-based learning. It is concluded that, under certain stated conditions, test reliability, validity, and comparability can be…

The guide, designed for students enrolling directly in a French university in study to be credited toward a U.S. degree, provides general information about the French educational system, types of higher education institution, and university life. Practical information on course selection, registration, examinations, and grading is also included.…

Large scale studies of the psychometric characteristics of standardized-patient clinical examinations are reviewed, and recommendations for test improvement are offered, including (1) assessment of history taking, physical examination, and communication skills separately from diagnostic and management skills; (2) a mastery-testing framework for…

A review (HE 528 450) of large-scale studies of the psychometric characteristics of standardized-patient clinical examinations is commended for its clarity, thoroughness, and relevance. Issues of reliability, validity, scoring, reporting, and use of the tests are discussed further. (MSE)

Evaluators in six objective structured clinical examinations were encouraged to add written comments to the traditional checklist rating forms. The 1,283 comments were categorized as trainee performance (technique, content, summary) and organizational comments. Analysis found that the comments were relevant and useful, and provided substantial…

Recent research into the use of articulatory movements by the deaf has revealed the significance of this visual input, but research into the speech perception of the blind has demonstrated the significance of its loss. The implications of these findings for teaching and testing foreign language listening skills are considered. (Author/JL)

A table is provided for determining the frequency of occurrence of Verbal-Performance discrepancies on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in profiles of high Intelligence Quotient children. Warnings are offered regarding the adverse effect of subtest substitution or omission when administering the WISC-R to highly…

A study documented the number of x-rays acquired during screening and subsequent treatment of patients for a state dental hygiene licensing examination for 109 candidates. Results indicate that patient exposure guidelines attempt to minimize radiographic exposure but that some exposures should be reevaluated for need and effect on patients. (MSE)

Reports on a cross-sectional evaluation of content achievement among 71 college-level psychology majors. Finds introductory students scored higher in social psychology but experimental psychology scores improved among advanced students. Also finds psychology students scored better than management majors on a standardized reasoning test. (CFR)

Discusses the types of language tests that language teachers can use in their classrooms for their specific purposes. Language assessments are classified into three categories: selected-response assessments; constructed-response assessments; and personal-response assessments. A definition is provided for each assessment type, and advantages and…

Two experiments examined infants' reliance on object shape versus color for word generalization to animate and inanimate objects. Infants were taught labels for either novel vehicles or novel animals using preferential-looking procedure or an interactive procedure. Results of both experiments indicated that infants limited their word…