Draws attention to the validity of the Oakland School Board's resolution on Ebonics and to the value of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL)-based approaches to teaching standard American English to speakers of other dialects. Demonstrates validity of comparisons made between monodialectal speakers of African-American language/Ebonics and ESL…

A team of French language teachers across Canada developed prototype evaluation instruments congruent with recent curriculum changes for core French. A series of formative evaluation instruments for beginning level students was refined and field tested. Results of the test highlight a positive response to the experimental nature of the evaluation…

This review of research on testing of second-language reading addresses: general areas of interest in reading research, assessment; adaptation of a suitable first-language reading comprehension model for second-language assessment; reliance on a top-down model of reading comprehension; validity of multiple-choice reading comprehension tests;…

Considers effect of language distance--how distant the language is from English--on attainment of English language literacy, as measured by performance on an Australian English-as-a-Second-Language end-of-school examination for non-English speaking background students, who also sat for another examination in their first language. Study concludes…

Analyzes simulated performance ratings on a six-point scale by two independent raters to account for nonsystematic error in performance ratings. Results suggest that rater agreement or covariance is not always a dependable estimate of score reliability and that the practice of seeking additional raters for adjudication of discrepant ratings is not…

Points to weaknesses of traditional tests and comments on the theoretical background and necessity of performance assessment. Presents specific information on performance assessment and provides assessment examples. (Author/VWL)

Adds to the debate on paired tests of spoken language. Argues in favor of the paired format, providing examples from oral testing experiences in Hungary. Considers candidate preferences, performance opportunities, quality of interaction, washback, and training. (Author/VWL)

Presented successive auditory time gatings of unfamiliar words--familiar, phonologically-related words and familiar, phonologically-unrelated words--to school-age children with and without specific language impairments (SLI). The groups did not differ significantly in the point at which they recognized familiar words, but the subjects with SLI…

Focuses on the effects of changes to high-stakes tests on the performance of those who take them. These effects are explored within the specific context of the Hong Kong Advanced Supplementary (AE) "Use of English" (UE) oral examination. (Author/VWL)

Focuses on the increase in discourse-based studies of oral proficiency assessment techniques. Discusses research carried out on a number of factors in the assessment setting, including the role of interlocutor, candidate, and rater, and the impact of tasks, task performance conditions, and rating criteria. (Author/VWL)

Details the advantages and process of creating an online English-as-a-Second-Language placement test. Outlines the steps for constructing a good test and describes the piloting of an online exam over a 2-year period. (Author/VWL)

Reports a study gauging the average oral proficiency as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of college students (n=20) studying German at the end of their fourth semester. Discussion centers on reasonable expectations for high school graduation and for college language…

Focuses on a group of bilingual children within a large cohort of children with specific language impairment (SLI) attending language units attached to mainstream primary schools across England. Comparison of the bilingual children with their monolingual peers revealed differential performance on standardized speech and language assessment…

Three technological courses at Australia's University of Technology have closely-related programs to assist students with language difficulties. The strategies include a diagnostic language test, a language orientation program, and a center providing language support throughout the semester. The paper documents the strategies, presents statistics…

Examined the development of the word knowledge of two groups of advanced learners of French as a second language by means of a slightly revised version of a particular test format. Studied the type of distractor most suited to the participants, distinguished the role of three types of associations, and linked qualitative aspects of word knowledge…