Evaluating Language Assessments


Book Description

Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Series Editor Preface -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1 The Need for Evaluation -- 2 Past Frameworks and Evaluations -- 3 Ethics-Based Approach to Assessment Evaluation -- 4 Building the Fairness and Justice Argument -- 5 Opportunity-to-Learn -- 6 Meaningfulness -- 7 Absence of Bias -- 8 Washback and Consequences -- 9 Advancing Fairness and Justice -- 10 Applications and Implications -- Index




Language Testing and Evaluation


Book Description

This book brings together two related fields - language testing and language programme evaluation - in a way that no single introductory text has done, and seeks to encourage closer relations between the two in both academic curricula and professional practice. It introduces readers not just to basic concepts, but to some of the major social, educational and research concerns and activities that characterise language testing and evaluation. The book can serve either as a basic text for a taught course, or for self-study. All chapters include suggestions for further reading, and discussions frequently point towards possible explorations in classroom research and practice. A glossary of key concepts and a select annotated bibliography are provided. The book addresses the language teaching profession generally as well as students of applied linguistics and English language teaching.




Useful Assessment and Evaluation in Language Education


Book Description

The specific—and varied—ways in which assessment and evaluation can impact learning and teaching have become an important language education research concern, particularly as educators are increasingly called on to implement these processes for improvement, accountability, or curricular development purposes. Useful Assessment and Evaluation in Language Education showcases contemporary research that explores innovative uses of assessment and evaluation in a variety of educational contexts. Divided into three parts, this volume first examines theoretical considerations and practical implementations of assessment conducted for the purpose of enhancing and developing language learning. Part 2 addresses novel assessment development and implementation projects, such as the formative use of task-based assessments, technology-mediated language performance assessment, validation of educational placement tests for immigrant learners, and the use of assessment to help identify neurolinguistic correlates of proficiency. The final section of the book highlights examples of argument-based approaches to assessment and evaluation validation, extending this critical framework to quality assurance efforts in new domains. Adding to research on traditional and conventional uses of testing and evaluation in language education, this volume captures innovative trends in assessment and evaluation practice that explicitly aim to better inform and enhance language teaching and learning.




Classroom Assessment in Multiple Languages


Book Description

What if multilingual learners had the freedom to interact in more than one language with their peers during classroom assessment? What if multilingual learners and their teachers in dual language settings had opportunities to use assessment data in multiple languages to make decisions? Just imagine the rich linguistic, academic, and cultural reservoirs we could tap as we determine what our multilingual learners know and can do. Thankfully, Margo Gottlieb is here to provide concrete and actionable guidance on how to create assessment systems that enable understanding of the whole student, not just that fraction of the student who is only visible as an English learner. With Classroom Assessment in Multiple Languages as your guide, you’ll: Better understand the rationale for and evidence on the value and advantages of classroom assessment in multiple languages Add to your toolkit of classroom assessment practices in one or multiple languages Be more precise and effective in your assessment of multilingual learners by embedding assessment as, for, and of learning into your instructional repertoire Recognize how social-emotional, content, and language learning are all tied to classroom assessment Guide multilingual learners in having voice and choice in the assessment process Despite the urgent need, assessment for multilingual learners is generally tucked into a remote chapter, if touched upon at all in a book; the number of resources narrows even more when multiple languages are brought into play. Here at last is that single resource on how educators and multilingual learners can mutually value languages and cultures in instruction and assessment throughout the school day and over time. We encourage you to get started right away. “Margo Gottlieb has demonstrated why the field, particularly the field as it involves the teaching of multilingual learners, needs another assessment book, particularly a book like this. . . . Classroom Assessment in Multiple Languages quite likely could serve as a catalyst toward the beginning of an enlightened discourse around assessment that will benefit multilingual learners.” ~Kathy Escamilla




Evaluating Language Assessments


Book Description

Evaluating Language Assessments offers a comprehensive overview of the theoretical bases and research methodologies for the evaluation of language assessments and demonstrates the importance of a fuller understanding of this widely used evaluative tool. The volume explores language assessment evaluation in its wider political, economic, social, legal, and ethical contexts while also illustrating quantitative and qualitative methods through discussions of key research studies. Suitable for students in applied linguistics, second language acquisition and language assessment and education, this book makes the case for a clear and rigorous understanding of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of language assessment evaluation in order to achieve fair assessments and just institutions.




Language Assessment and Programme Evaluation


Book Description

This volume examines the overlapping areas of evaluation and assessment, where 'evaluation' is defined as the systematic use of information to make decisions about language teaching programmes and 'assessment' as the systematic use of information to make decisions about individuals and their language ability. A variety of topics are covered, including paradigms and purposes, design techniques, quantitative and qualitative methods for collecting and analysing data, and ethical, social and political considerations in the conduct of evaluation and assessment. The book has two important goals: to underscore the relationships between the enterprises of evaluation and assessment, and to encourage the use of new paradigms in our approaches to these enterprises. Features:*The first treatment of assessment and evaluation in one volume*Exercises and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter*Includes an extensive bibliography.




Exploring Language Assessment and Testing


Book Description

Routledge Introductions to Applied Linguistics is a series of introductory level textbooks covering the core topics in Applied Linguistics, primarily designed for those beginning postgraduate studies, or taking an introductory MA course as well as advanced undergraduates. Titles in the series are also ideal for language professionals returning to academic study. The books take an innovative 'practice to theory' approach, with a 'back-to-front' structure. This leads the reader from real-world problems and issues, through a discussion of intervention and how to engage with these concerns, before finally relating these practical issues to theoretical foundations. Additional features include tasks with commentaries, a glossary of key terms, and an annotated further reading section. Exploring Language Assessment and Testing is a straightforward introduction to the field that provides an inclusive and impartial survey of both classroom based assessment by teachers and larger scale testing, using concrete examples to guide students to the relevant literature. Ranging from theory to classroom based scenarios, the author provides practical guidance on designing, developing and using assessments, with flexible, step by step processes for improving the quality of tests and assessment systems to make them fairer and more accurate. This book is an indispensable introduction to the areas of language assessment and testing, and will be of interest to language teachers as well as postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students studying Language Education, Applied Linguistics and Language Assessment.




Program Evaluation in Language Education


Book Description

The authors describe evaluation as a way of understanding and developing language programs: the thematic and background section sets out the decision-making, quality management, and learning functions of evaluation. Case studies illustrate the diversity of evaluation contexts, functions and approaches, documenting the ways in which evaluation processes and outcomes inform and facilitate program development, and contribute to explaining how language and teacher education programs constitute opportunities for learning. The ways in which evaluation practice can be researched and developed to maximize policy, institutional and program effectiveness is included, and a comprehensive set of resources for those commissioning, undertaking or researching language program evaluations concludes the text.




Classroom-Based Evaluation in Second Language Education


Book Description

Classroom-based Evaluation in Second Language Education has been written to help foreign and second language educators in planning and carrying out effective and comprehensive evaluations in their classrooms. The book emphasizes the value of classroom-based assessment as a tool for improving both teaching and learning. The presentation is non-technical and does not require a specialized background in psychometrics, statistics, or research. The suggested assessment procedures are useful for a broad range of proficiency levels, teaching situations, and instructional approaches. Preview questions and follow-up activities assist the reader in applying the material discussed in each chapter.




The Companion to Language Assessment, 4 Volume Set


Book Description

A state-of-the-art reference work exploring the crucial topics for practitioners and scholars of language teaching and assessment, their impact on language learners, and specific approaches to assessment employed around the world Includes 140 thematically-organized chapters exploring the contexts where assessment occurs, including learners and their abilities; developmental tools and approaches to assessment; and qualitative and quantitative interdisciplinary approaches to evaluation and language assessment in 35 languages Brings together an international team of scholars under the editorship of Antony John Kunnan, one of the foremost scholars in this field Combines the leading voices and cutting-edge research in a reference work spanning the fields of language teaching and learning, language policy and planning, testing and evaluation, and education 4 Volumes www.companiontolanguageassessment.com