Module EFPM835 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
EFPM835: Foreign Language Testing and Assessment
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
1. to understand key terms and concepts in language testing and current beliefs about assessment
2. to understand approaches and techniques in language testing – both objective and subjective testing typology
3. to critically examine the relationship of testing to teaching practice and syllabus design
4. to learn how to evaluate a test’s purpose and appropriateness, and understand the use made of tests
5. to design or critique a test for a described group of learners relevant to your context.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate an understanding of different approaches to language testing; 2. demonstrate an understanding of key technical terms applied to testing and relate these to their specific context; 3. create and modify tests; 4. evaluate assessment tools and results; 5. apply course input to their own, their peers' and abstract assessment situations |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 6. demonstrate the ability to recognise core issues in language testing and explore alternative solutions through critical debate. This will be done during group discussions and evidenced by satisfactory reference to the literature in the assignment. 7. demonstrate the ability to recognise how the role, design and social status of language testing may vary in different cultural contexts |
| Personal and Key Skills | 8. analyse the relevant academic literature 9. practice independent study and group work 10. engage in critical debate with peers 11. digest, select and organise material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and thoughtful assessment tool. 12. take responsibility and carry out agreed tasks within a co-operative group environment. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Week 1: An introduction to basic principles in language test construction and presentation through discussion of terminology and criteria used in the design of test specification checklists; the different purposes of tests and the distinction between norm-and criteria referenced tests; testing and assessment distinction.
Week 2: A critical review of objective testing techniques in language testing; examination and critique of item types; skill focus: grammar, vocabulary.
Week 3: Types of validity and reliability and a description of several basic statistics used to describe tests (mean, median, SD, SEM, reliability coefficient).
Week 4: An examination of classroom assessment issues, including those relevant to younger learners; an overview of alternative assessment methods.
Week 5: A an examination of the current issues of Dynamic assessment and teacher-based assessment and discussion of their applicability in students’ contexts.
Week 6: Meaning and use of Construct in language tests. Skills focus: listening, reading.
Week 7: A critical examination of subjective testing methods; the use of band descriptors in assessment and as feedback mechanisms; and interrater reliability issues. Skills focus: writing, speaking.
Week 8: Critical issues in testing: a discussion of the varieties of purpose that tests are used for and the potential for powerful uses.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 115 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and teaching activities | 15 | lectures, seminars |
| Learning and teaching activities | 20 | guided reading |
| Guided independent study | 80 | self directed study |
| Guided independent study | 35 | assignment preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Other Learning Resources
Students’ own test samples; sample tests from web resources.
