Putting Germany's Language Tests to the Test: An Examination of the Development, Implementation and Efficacy of Using Language Proficiency Tests to Mediate German Citizenship

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Iman Makeba Laversuch
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
German Citizenship

scholarly journals Reading and Listening Comprehension Subskills: The Match between Theory, Coursebooks, and Language Proficiency Tests

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Aynur Ismayilli Karakoc
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
Common Reading

Different theoretical and empirical taxonomies of reading and listening comprehension (RC, LC) are available in the literature. Most of language tests and tasks in English as foreign or second language (EFL/ESL) coursebooks are based on the classifications of reading and listening subskills (micro-skills) offered in theory. However, these taxonomies have not cross-checked whether the theoretical subskills are practiced in ESL/EFL coursebooks and assessed in proficiency tests. Nor have they listed the shared and exclusive RC and LC subskills in a unified fashion. For this purpose, theoretical subskills offered in Applied Linguistics literature, nine internationally popular EFL/ESL proficiency tests and 25 widely used coursebook tasks were collected, cross-compared, repetitions were eliminated, and a final inclusive list of common and exclusive subskills was prepared. The findings suggested ten common reading and listening subskills. The subskills exclusive to reading were seven, and exclusive to listening were four. This list is hoped to be helpful for teachers in developing their own tests, and the coursebook developers in preparing the content materials.

The High Stakes Use of Language Proficiency Tests as Illusio and Pyramid Scheme

2020 ◽  
pp. 188-203
Author(s):  
Rifat Kamasak ◽  
Mustafa Ozbilgin ◽  
Ali Rıza Esmen
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
The World ◽  
Pyramid Scheme ◽  
Conclusion Section

There is a growing trend in using high stakes standardised test scores to evaluate individuals' academic and professional language proficiency. Although these tests determine the fates of millions of students and job seekers across the world, several aspects of these tests such as their design, ethical implementation, procedural fairness, and validity and reliability are questioned by many linguists. This chapter aims to evaluate the mostly criticised social and technical aspects of high stakes language tests from a pyramid scheme perspective. In order to achieve this aim, a number of empirical studies from the extant literature are reviewed, and some comments are provided in the conclusion section.

scholarly journals Test Review: Current options in at-home language proficiency tests for making high-stakes decisions

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Isbell ◽  
Benjamin Kremmel
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Testing ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Home Test ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
Home Testing ◽  
Home Tests ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
At Home

Administration of high-stakes language proficiency tests has been disrupted in many parts of the world as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. Institutions that rely on test scores have been forced to adapt, and in many cases this means using scores from a different test, or a new online version of an existing test, that can be taken at home. The switch to accepting at-home proficiency tests for high-stakes decisions raises many concerns for stakeholders, such as technological demands, exam security, and validity of score use. Along these lines, this thematic review addresses such concerns and features brief reviews of seven options in at-home proficiency testing: ACTFL Assessments, Duolingo English Test, IELTS Indicator, LanguageCert, TEF Express, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, and Versant. Considering at-home testing more broadly, we discuss key considerations for selecting an at-home test. We close with speculation on how at-home tests may shape language testing going forward: Beyond adapting to the current pandemic, at-home testing might address longstanding issues in access to language testing services and the representation of real-world communication practices in language tests.

The morphing assessment terrain for English learners in US schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-126
Author(s):  
Mary Hutchinson ◽  
Xenia Hadjioannou
Keyword(s):  
No Child Left Behind ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Tests ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
Every Student Succeeds Act

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the public policy reshaping the assessment terrain for English learners (ELs) across the USA and to consider the implications and impact of these practices on sustaining and supporting a diverse student population in today’s schools. Design/methodology/approach The authors review the literature and publicly available policy documents to trace key policy trends over the past 15 years that have shaped the current educational landscape and assessment practices for ELs in the USA. Findings In the USA, the 2015 Common Core State Standards (CCSSs) assessments generated worrisome results for ELs, as significant numbers had failing scores in English language arts and math. These results are juxtaposed to public policies that impact the educational experience of ELs, including No Child Left Behind and the CCSS, and which, despite their stated intentions to ameliorate the achievement gap, are found to be assimilationist in nature. Indeed, a review of the initiatives of developing common EL standards and English language proficiency tests and the recommendations for EL accommodations in state tests suggests several areas of concern. The recently passed Every Student Succeeds Act focuses on this vulnerable population, but there are concerns that the continued focus on accountability and testing will do little to facilitate academic progress for these students. Practical implications The paper recommends a need to reevaluate the support and testing process for ELs to stem widespread failure and ascertain the sustenance of democratic and diversified schools. Originality/value The study provides an overview of key policy trends, outlines and critiques recent changes in the assessment of ELs and draws implications for practice.

scholarly journals Yemeni EFL Learners’ Future Self-Images and Their Relationship to The English Language Proficiency: التصورات الذاتية المستقبلية لدى طلبة اللغة الانجليزية اليمنيين  وعلاقتها بالكفاءة في اللغة الإنجليزية

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulrahim Ali Mohammad Al-Showthabi, Mohammad Abduh Ahmad A
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Ideal Self ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Future Self ◽  
Academic Year

This exploratory correlational study addresses the issue of Yemeni EFL Learners’ Future Self-images, Ideal Self-images and Ought-to Self-image and their relationship to the English language proficiency, mainly, speaking and writing --fourth level students, Department of English Sana’a University of the academic year of 2017-2018. It also aims at exploring which of the two Future Self-images addressed is more evident amongst Yemeni EFL learners. In addition, the study attempts to ascertain the role of gender on Future Self-images. Data gathering instruments were all set and validated for the purpose of the study; which were Future Self-images questionnaire (12 Ideal Self-image items & 12 Ought-to Self-image items), English proficiency (speaking & and writing) tests and two Scoring Scales. Fifty two Students (12 males and 40 females (the sample) took both the Future Self-images questionnaire and the English proficiency tests in the academic year 2017-2018. and two Data gathering instruments were all set and validated for the purpose of the study; which were Future Self-images questionnaire (12 Ideal Self-image items & 12 Ought-to Self-image items), English proficiency (speaking & and writing) tests and two Scoring Scales. Fifty two Students (12 males and 40 females (the sample) took both the Future Self-images questionnaire and the English proficiency tests in the academic year 2017-2018. Descriptive analyses— frequencies, and, t-test for independent groups, and Pearson-product moment correlation— were utilized to analyze the data. Results show that Yemeni EFL students have higher Ought-to Self-image mean scores (3.6) than Ideal Self-image mean scores (3.04) Further, each of the two Future Self-images, Ideal Self-image and Ought-to Self-image has a bipolar direction in regard to male and female students. While, female students have higher mean Ideal Self-image scores (2.6) toward learning English, their counterpart male students have higher mean Ought-to Self-image scores (3.15). Furthermore results revealed a significant and strong relationship between Yemeni EFL learners’ ---Ideal Self-images—Ought-to Self-image-- and speaking and writing proficiency respectively and uniquely. This article ends with some recommendations and suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Selecting and Using Computer-Based Language Tests (CBLTs) to Assess Language Proficiency: Guidelines for Educators

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim MacDonald ◽  
Jean Nielsen ◽  
Lisa Lai
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Assessment Criteria ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Summary Table ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
Development Procedure ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Teaching Learning

With the growing demand for and use of computer-based language tests (CBLTs) comes the need for clear guidelines to help educators as they attempt to select appropriate tests to assess their students with respect to their second- and foreign-language (L2/FL) teaching-learning goals. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines to educators who are seeking appropriate CBLTs to assess language proficiency in the classroom. We being with an introduction that includes a brief word about our intended audience, our rationale for creating this set of guidelines, and the development procedure used. We continue with a discussion of some relevant assessment criteria and conclude with a few summary remarks. Finally, we present a 'CBLT Selection and Use: Guidelines Summary Table' composed of questions to ask and an accompanying checklist.

Code-switching does not predict Executive Function performance in proficient bilingual children: Bilingualism does

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARISSA KANG ◽  
BARBARA LUST
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Semantic Fluency ◽  
The Relationship

Previous studies of bilingual adults have suggested that bilinguals’ experience with code-switching (CS) contributes to superior executive function (EF) abilities. We tested a highly bilingual developing population in Singapore, a multilingual country where CS occurs pervasively. We obtained CS and EF measures from 43 English–Chinese 8-year-old children (27 females, M = 100 months). We measured spontaneous CS with a novel task and EF in terms of task-switching (Semantic Fluency) and inhibitory control (Stroop task in both languages). Contrary to previous work, CS performance did not significantly predict EF performance in either case. Rather, bilingual language proficiency, i.e., degree of bilingualism (as measured by direct proficiency tests and parents’ estimates of daily language use and exposure of both languages) influenced EF performance. Accordingly, the relationship between CS and EF may be more indirect and non-necessary than previously assumed.

Kwaliteit En Efficientie Van Multiple-Choice Cloze-Toetsing

1988 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 116-126
Author(s):  
W. Jochems ◽  
F. Montens
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Skills Testing ◽  
Foreign Speakers ◽  
Psychometric Quality ◽  
Quality Instruments ◽  
Large Groups

This article presents and discusses a number of empirical findings concerning the psychometric quality of multiple-choice cloze tests as tests of general language proficiency, with emphasis on their validity and efficiency. The Dutch proficiency of various groups of foreign speakers was measured both by a series of separate proficiency tests in listening, speaking, reading and writing and by a series of multiple-choice cloze tests. Scores on multiple-choice cloze tests were found to correlate significantly with those on each of the proficiency tests. In addition, scores on multiple-choice cloze tests appeared to form a solid basis for predicting the total scores for listening, speaking, reading and writing taken together. Further, a clear relation was found to exist between levels of language proficiency and subjects' scores on multiple-choice cloze tests. Our conclusion is that the multiple-choice cloze tests under investigation have proved to be high-quality instruments for measuring proficiency in Dutch as a second language. Compared to a four-skills test, a multiple-choice cloze test is a very efficient instrument. Administering and processing take only little time. Besides, they can be administered to very large groups of subjects. Because of its quality and efficiency, multiple-choice cloze testing should be preferred to four-skills testing.

Leerlingkenmerken en Taalvaardigheid in Het Turks en Het Nederlands

1990 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geert Driessen ◽  
Kees de Bot
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
First Language ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Global Factor ◽  
Language Tests ◽  
Proficiency Scores

Evaluation of the effect of mother tongue teaching to migrant children in the Netherlands. Data are presented on first- and second-language proficiency of the Turkish sample (n=368). The aim of the investigation was to find out to what extent learner characteristics influence proficiency scores. It is concluded that the correlation between first and second-language proficiency is particularly low, which does not support Cummins' interdependency hypothesis. Interestingly parents' interest in school is an important global factor. Age on arrival appears to be of little importance for scores on the first-language tests. This suggests that children who have lived in the Netherlands for most of their lives, still show a continued development of their mother tongue.

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