The study investigated the extent to which information obtained from the WISC overlaps with information obtained from the ITPA. A canonical correlation analysis revealed that only 24 percent of the WISC subtest variance is redundant, given the ITPA; while 22 percent of the ITPA subtest variance is redundant, given the WISC. (Author/DB)

Describes the benefits derived by the University of Alabama at a time of declining enrollment from offering the Goethe Institute exam for the "Certificate in German as a Foreign Language." Also mentions other innovations introduced by the German department: an intensive first year course and a German House on campus. (MES)

Describes the structure of the United Nations (Geneva) French language test, with exerpts from the listening comprehension portion of the test. The test is given to professional candidates to determine their level of functional proficiency in French. (AM)

Describes the Indiana University French Communicative Ability Test, developed to test communicative ability at a relatively low level (beginning university French), and in a large, multi-section program. (AM)

Explains unique features of a Branched Program Achievement Test for college French students, and presents data that validate the testing strategy and demonstrate the value of the test as a placement instrument. (JB)

A 6th-grade test in English as a foreign language is described and contrasted with second language acquisition by the children of foreign laborers in Germany. The latter calls for special teaching procedures; tests and tapes are described. The teacher's "feel" is considered more important than "scientific" methodology. (IFS/WGA)

Though speaking ability receives priority in FL teaching, grades are given with little attention to it. Tests in current use are examined; a new one is proposed. The individual test is preferred to group tests. Various aspects of the individual oral test are discussed. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

Describes several techniques of informal assessment which might supplement test results. (DD)

The purpose of this investigation was to discover the relative rank order of efficiency of eight distractor categories in multiple-choice foreign language vocabulary tests. Type of test question used was clarified, types of distractors defined, selection process described, test design discussed, and resulting data tabulated and interpreted. (CHK)

This paper discusses the development of elicitation procedures for checking phoneme production in ESL learners. Two types of elicitation were tried: a picture-stimulus test and a regular question-type quiz, presented orally. Development of such procedures was judged quite feasible. (CHK)

Investigates reasons for raters assignment of particular scores on a speaking test through the use of a method called "concept mapping." Based on results, suggests that information gained from this method can be used in rater training to emphasize key rating criteria that have been deemphasized or overlooked by raters to improve the validity of…

Describes a statistical method for evaluating the translation equivalence of language test items that are scored dichotomously. Provides an illustration of the method to a portion of the verbal subtest of the Psychometric Entrance Test, which is a large-scale postsecondary admissions test used in Israel. (VWL)

Investigates the relationship of test-takers' use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies to English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) reading test performance. Results suggest that use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies had a positive relationship to reading test performance; highly successful test-takers reported significantly higher…

Discusses large state schools' needs for placement and assessment tests resulting from the large enrollments in foreign language courses, and reports on the development and field test of an item bank developed at the University of Iowa for the placement and assessment of language students. (14 references) (GLR)

Describes a developmental project in Maori, designed to investigate the feasibility and reliability of teacher-based assessment of the oral component of a national examination of Maori language in New Zealand. Particular focus is on the development of a culturally appropriate assessment style that respects Maori traditions of knowledge, learning,…