Testing for Language TeachersArthur Hughes

Submitted to Mam sabahatSubmitted by Anum Shahzadie

M.Phil APPLIED LINGUISTICS

Introduction What is test? What is testing? What is the purpose of testing? The effect of testing Why are tests inaccurate? The need of testing The need of testing What is to be done!

What is test? A general definition:“a procedure intended to establish the quality,

performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.”

A test or examination is an assessment intended to measure a test-taker's knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, or classification in many other topics (e.g., beliefs). A test may be administered orally, on paper, on a computer, or in a confined area that requires a test taker to physically perform a set of skills. Tests vary in style, rigor and requirements

What is testing? Testing is the practice of making

objective judgments regarding the extent to which the

system (device) meets, exceeds or fails to meet stated objectives.

What is the purpose of testing?

There are two fundamental purposes of testing:

First, testing is about verifying that what was specified is what wasdelivered: it verifies that the product (system) meets the functional, performance,design, and implementation requirements identified in the procurement specifications.Second, testing is about managing risk for both the acquiring agency and the system’svendor/developer/integrator.

The effect of testing The effect of testing on teaching and

learning is known as backwash. The test preparation with all dominate

teaching and learning activities and if the test content and testing techniques are at variance with the objective of course , there is likely to be harmful backwash.

Why are tests inaccurate? There Re two main sources of

inaccuracyTest content and techniquesLack of reliability

The need of testing 1)Quality Assurance .

2)Verification and validating the product/application before it goes live in the market.3) In Testing we have to learn more domains.4)Meets the requirements.

5) Intending of finding errors in the application.

Assessment and testing Testing has discussed above Assessment Formative Assessment occurs in the

short term, as learners are in the process of making meaning of new content and of integrating it into what they already know. Feedback to the learner is immediate (or nearly so), to enable the learner to change his/her behavior and understandings right away.

assessment Summative Assessment takes place at the

end of a large chunk of learning, with the results being primarily for the teacher's or school's use. Results may take time to be returned to the student/parent, feedback to the student is usually very limited, and the student usually has no opportunity to be reassessed. Thus, Summative Assessment tends to have the least impact on improving an individual student's understanding or performance.

What is to be done! The teaching profession can make

three contribution to the improvement of testing.

They can write better test themselves.

They can enlighten other people who are involved in testing process .

They can put pressure on professional testers and examining boards to improve their tests.

What is best test or the best testing technique

A test that proves ideal for one purpose may be quit useless for another , a technique that may work very well in one situation can be entirely inappropriate in another.

The purpose of testing discussed in this book

To measure large proficiency. To discover how successful students have

been in achieving the objectives of a course of study.

To diagnose student strength and weakness.

To assist placement of students by identifying the stages or part of a teaching programme most appropriate to their ability.