This study focused on the acquisition of the dative verb by Chinese learners of English as a Second Language. The study proposes that the learner acquires basic semantic structure for the double-object dative via the "near universal linking rules that map thematic roles to syntactic positions. On semantic grounds, the learner might then use…

The guide explains the roles of standards-based assessment in various contexts involving students who are learning English as a second language (ESL). It is designed to accompany the "ESL Standards for Pre-K-12 Students," a document that sets out the language competencies needed by ESL students to become fully proficient in English, have…

By being creative in preparing tests and by allowing creativity on the part of students, language teachers can incorporate many of the principles associated with proficiency-oriented instruction into a traditional test format. Such test strategies are based on the following: (1) testing in context is better than testing with a series of unrelated…

This study investigated the effect of writing task topic on learner performance in a second-language writing test, in this case the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery designed to test proficiency in English as a Second Language. The 64 topics or "prompts" used in the test (offered as pairs of options) were categorized according…

"Autonomous" and "ideological" models of literacy are discussed in the context of the literacy-culture-politics relationship. Assumptions underlying literacy, nationalism, assessment, and the links among them are questioned, and approaches to alternative assessment procedures are considered. Arguments about the formation and…

The process of developing, piloting, and refining an oral proficiency test as part of the Center for Language Education and Research (CLEAR) test battery is described. The test was designed to fill a need for an oral interview-type measure adapted for fifth to seventh grade students. The test was produced first for Spanish immersion students, then…

Eight articles on the state of the art in language teaching are presented as part of a series on language teaching. The articles, by V. J. Cook, M. Swain and J. Cummins, C. S. Butler, N. E. Enkvist, A. Tosi, P. Meara, and A. Davies, cover the following topics: (1) how languages are actually learned, (2) the cognitive aspects of bilingualism, (3)…

The oral interview (OI) was developed to meet the need for a testing procedure of second language speaking skills. It has been refined and expanded several times since first developed in the 1950's for use by the U.S. Government. Now known as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages/Educational Testing Services (ACTFL/ETS) scale,…

Research has been done on the relationship between students' language learning strategies and test-taking strategies, but often such investigations have taken place after a time lapse. This project entailed asking students to evaluate and explain how they take reading comprehension examinations in a foreign language while they were actually taking…

The limitations of objectives tests, the language skills needed for university work, and effective ways of appraising and communicating these skills to the university are discussed. The goals of university English as a second language (ESL) programs is to train international students in the linguistic and academic skills they will need in American…

Elective English courses in grades 7 to 10 of 10-grade "general educational" polytechnical schools in the GDR are facing increased demands. Student testing has revealed increased attention by teachers to the strengthening of lexical and grammatical knowledge, development of free-variation procedures, and introduction of teaching aids.…

In this study of ability to learn Japanese, six extra-linguistic factors were investigated: multi-linguality, semantic space sensitivity, formal education, Japanophilia, musical training and the introduction of Kanji (ideographs used in Japanese writing). (CK)

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

The JMB, Syllabus B, O level oral examination in French is commented on by an ex-examiner. Mention is made of ways in which candidates lose marks and of the need for teachers to know more about the marking system. (RM)

Discusses the function of a number of test types--aptitude, level/selection, classroom, progress, achievement, and proficiency tests. The use of these tests in course evaluation is also mentioned. (RM)