Challenges in Language Testing Around the World
Description
This book combines insights from language assessment literacy and critical language testing through critical analyses and research about challenges in language assessment around the world. It investigates problematic practices in language testing which are relevant to language test users such as language program directors, testing centers, and language teachers, as well as teachers-in-training in Graduate Diploma and Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics programs. These issues involve aspects of language testing such as test development, test administration, scoring, and interpretation/use of test results.
Chapters in this volume discuss insights about language testing policy, testing world languages, developing program-level language tests and tests of specific language skills, and language assessment literacy. In addition, this book identifies two needs in language testing for further examination: the need for collaboration between language test developers, language test users, and language users, and the need to base language tests on real-world language use.
Reviews / Votes
" In their introduction to Challenges in Language Testing Around the World, the editorial team (Betty Lanteigne, Christine Coombe, and James Dean Brown) "invite readers to enter this world of challenges encountered/ observed/investigated . so they too can benefit from examining the effects of these different issues and challenges." I found the book to be a veritable treasure trove of information, innovative ideas and solutions to real world issues. The editors are all experienced authors in the field with one thing in common - they are all great communicators who write to be read by a broad audience. This philosophy is reflected in the 35 excellent chapters that do exactly what the book title claims. They offer the reader, for the first time, a global and accessible view of the real world of language testing with a combination of well described observations and empirically driven solutions. In our recent book (Validity: Theoretical Development and Integrated Arguments) Micheline Chalhoub-Deville and myself, argue that communication of test-related issues should form one part of validation arguments. By implication, language assessment literacy should therefore be seen as a crucial element of validation, since it facilitates true communication between stakeholders and developers. Viewed from this perspective, this book represents a welcome addition to the language testing landscape. I have no hesitation in recommending it to a whole range of interested parties, from teachers, to test developers and theorists, policy influencers and decision makers. " - Professor Barry O'Sullivan , Head of Assessment Research & Development, English & Exams British Council, United KingdomMore details
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Persons
Christine Coombe has a Ph.D. in Foreign/Second Language Education from The Ohio State University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of General Studies at Dubai Men's College. She is the former Testing and Measurements Supervisor at UAE University and Assessment Coordinator of Zayed University. Christine has published numerous books and articles on language testing/assessment, research methods, leadership, teacher effectiveness and task-based teaching and learning.
James Dean Brown is Professor of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He has spoken and taught in many places (from Australia to Venezuela). He has published numerous articles and books on language testing, curriculum design, research methods, and connected speech.
