Discusses general principles of language testing, stressing objectivity and reliability as the key terms. However, maintains that it is impossible to obtain a direct measure of linguistic competence and consequently questions the value of standard grading procedures. Instead, proposes an evaluation system based on the achievement of specific…

Gives practical suggestions for grading of tests so students are treated fairly and so that test results reflect goals of course. Criteria are validity and reliability. Grades should be established before grading begins. (Author/BK)

Outlines stages followed in initial development of an attitude/motivation test battery to study individual differences associated with achievement in French and presents reliability and validity data. Focuses attention on procedures for test construction and evaluation of test adequacy. (Author/BK)

Procedures mentioned in this article include: (1) developing a new test, (2) modifying test items or keyed responses on existing tests, and (3) developing new norms for existing tests. Examples are given for each procedure, and advantages and disadvantages are discussed. (Author)

Describes a self-pacing procedure for helping students of diverse backgrounds handle the materials of a composition course in English as a second language. Sample instructional materials are appended. (JB)

Finds that dictation exercises are insufficiently used in foreign language teaching. They serve many purposes, e.g., in tests, as introduction to texts, and in recollection exercises. They may have various forms, such as dictation with blanks to fill in, transcription of song texts, etc. (IFS/WGA)

The use of an interview to test verbal ability in a second language and to establish a scale of oral proficiency is discussed. Sample questions are included in Spanish. (JB)

Reports on an experiment which sought to use the cloze procedure to test progress in listening skill development in German-speaking students of English. (AM)

Reports on research seeking to isolate and analyze high frequency errors in secondary students of German, to identify learning tactics, and to apply the research results to improving language instruction. (AM)

Ten colleges and universities and the Educational Testing Service participated in a project that involved testing the Foreign Service Institute's French and Spanish oral proficiency test for possible academic applicability. (AM)

Reports on a testing experiment (at the university level) dealing with the construction and validation of a university entrance test in Romance languages. Discusses the subtest "vocabulary," as to problems of validation--specifically, a self-rating test and an association-speed test. (IFS/WGA)

Presents a German test for English students. Errors in the placing of "nicht" are examined and categorized. Criticism of the objectivity of the findings are examined. The tests are seen as a measure of oral skills. Study is recommended of how to present most economically the various items. (IFS/WGA)

The process and results of error marking in EFL written work are studied. Common errors were classified and presented to native and non-native EFL teachers to mark and to indicate seriousness of errors. Non-natives judged more severely; individuals were consistent in their judgment; differing views of error gravity are noted. (CHK)

This article discusses the section of the final examination used at a regional training center in French language and literature in Morocco. The linguistics task is in the form of two tests containing language errors which an examination candidate is required to find, correct, and explain. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Two achievement tests in French are critically examined: one on the students' vocabulary after three years of French, and one designed for student placement. Both are found to be reliable. The validity of their content and construction is discussed. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)