Language Testing and Evaluation.ppt

Language Testing and Evaluation Introduction to Language Testing Testing is an indispensable part of every teaching and learning experience. Right from the commencement of formal education, we are confronted with a myriad of tests, from small quizzes, mid-term and final examinations, to rigid matriculation examinations, not to mention many other tests after our graduation, on the grades of which hang decisions concerning our career. As a matter of fact, we are haunted by tests throughout our lifetime. What is a “test”?※A psychological or educational test is a procedure designed to elicit certain behavior from which one can make inference about certain characteristics of an individual. (Carroll) ※考试是由一定数量的题目组成，用于测定人的某一心理品质，或学习掌握程度的工具。教师出试题实际上是创设一个语言情景，学生的答题过程则是他的语言能力和知识掌握程度的一种表现。考试的目的就是要测定学生在某一方面的能力或学习情况。（舒运祥 2001） Assessment  To put it simply, assessment means to discover what the learners know and can do at a certain stage of the learning process. With different assessment purposes in mind, we may adopt different assessment methods. A close study on the assessment purposes will make it clear that all the people involved in education have some reasons to consider assessment necessary. They are administrators, teachers, parents and students. Administrators:  Administrators provide money and personnel for education. They need to know whether the programmes they have planned are working well。 The only way to do this is to discover how well the pupils are doing with their courses. If assessment results are different from what they have expected, they need to replan the programmes so that better accomplishment can be achieved later. Teachers:  Teachers put the administrators’ plans into practice. In the continuum of learning, teachers need to know what has been done and what needs to be done next; what the pupils already know or can do and what they do not know or cannot do yet. If the program is well planned, it