Testing

1. Testing A definition of a “language test” is a tool for measuring language performance in learners (Bachman, L., and Palmer, A. 1997)

2. The Principles Towards Creating Intrinsically Motivating Tests • The principle of giving students advance preparation • The principle of face validity • The principle of authenticity • The principle of "washback“

3. Some Practical Steps to Test Construction • Test toward clear, unambiguous objectives • Draft your test. • Revise your test. • Utilize your feedback after administering the test. • Work for washback.

4. Types of Tests and Testing Generally we distinguish the following categories of tests: • Progress test/achievement test • Proficiency test • Diagnostic tests • Placement tests

5. Testing Communicative Skills • Testing speaking skills • Testing listening skills • Testing reading skills • Testing writing skills

6. Testing Techniques • Gap-fill • Cloze • Multiple choice • Matching (pictures, words, sentence pieces, labels, etc.) • Sentence transformation • Sentence construction and reconstruction • Two-option answers • Information transfer • Ordering tasks (sequencing) • Editing

7. Testing Language Means • Testing Grammar • Testing Vocabulary • Testing Phonology

8. Advantages of Good Testing • Tests can increase motivation as they serve as milestones of student progress. • Tests can spur learners to set goals for themselves, both before and after a test. • Tests can aid the retention of information through the feedback they give on learners' competence. • Tests can provide a sense of periodic closure to various units and modules curriculum. • Tests can encourage students' self-evaluation of their progress. • Tests can promote student autonomy as they confirm areas of strength and areas needing further work. • Tests can aid in evaluating teaching effectiveness.