Language Testing and Evaluation potx

Peter Lang · Europäischer Verlag der WissenschaftenPeter Lang · Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften Language Testing and Evaluation Edited by Rüdiger Grotjahn and Günther Sigott Volume 1 · Günther Sigott Towards Identifying the C-Test Construct Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2004. 224 pp., num. tables ISBN 3-631-52062-X / US-ISBN 0-8204-6558-5 · pb. € 39.– What do C-Tests really measure? This book describes the history and the theoretical background of C-Tests and gives a survey of research into C-Test validity, which leads to the central question: How much context do test takers need to process when they take a C-Test? The author answers this question on the basis of extensive material and data from over 800 subjects. It turns out that the C-Test construct is fluid: Test takers have to take extended context into account, but not everybody to the same extent. The book discusses the implications of the fluid construct phenomenon for language testing practice and research. Volume 2 · Carsten Röver Testing ESL Pragmatics Development and Validation of a Web-Based Assessment Battery Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2005. XIII, 156 pp., 43 tables, 8 graphs ISBN 3-631-52836-1 / US-ISBN 0-8204-7343-X · pb. € 39.– Although second language learners’ pragmatic competence (their ability to use language in context) is an essential part of their general communicative competence, it has not been a part of second language tests. This book helps fill this gap by describing the development and validation of a web-based test of ESL pragma-linguistics. The instrument assesses learners’ knowledge of routine formulae, speech acts, and implicature in 36 multiple-choice and brief-response items. The test’s quantitative and qualitative validation with 300 learners showed high reliability and provided strong evidence of the instrument’s construct validity. Its web-based format makes it easy to administer and score. The book ends with a discussion of future research directions in assessing second language pragmatics. Volume 3 · Tom Lumley Assessing Second Language Writing The Rater’s Perspective Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2005. 368 pp., num. tab. and graf. ISBN 3-631-53327-6 / US-ISBN 0-8204-7655-2 · pb. € 56.50 This study investigates the process of rating texts written by adult ESL learners. Four experienced raters provided think-aloud protocols describing the rating process for a set of 24 texts. The think-aloud data allowed analysis of the sequence of rating, raters’ interpretations of the scoring categories, and difficulties raters faced. The study reveals the complexity of the rating process, whereby raters struggle to resolve a tension between the wordings (or rules) of the rating scale and their complex, initial, intuitive impression of the text. Rating requires training to provide reliable measurement. The study also demonstrates that caution is needed in interpreting results from think-aloud data, despite their methodological value in this kind of study. please turn over! Our prices do not include postage and handling. Prices are subject to change without notice. Books are distributed by Peter Lang AG, Berne/Switzerland. 02/06 Our Internetbookshop http://www.peterlang.de allows quick and easy ordering! Peter Lang GmbH · Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften Eschborner Landstraße 42-50 · D-60489 Frankfurt am Main Telefon 0 69 / 78 07 05-0 · Fax 0 69 / 78 07 05-50 E-Mail: zentrale.frankfurt@peterlang.com Volume 4 · Annie Brown Interviewer Variability in Oral Proficiency Interviews Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2005. X, 289 pp., num tab. and graf. ISBN 3-631-54224-0 / US-ISBN 0-8204-7759-1 · pb. € 51.50 This book was the winner of the 2005 Jacqueline A. Ross Dissertation Award for second or foreign language testing. The assessment of speaking skills is an important part of the language learning process, whether carried out by teachers in the classroom or through proficiency tests administered by testing agencies. However, the complex and subjective nature of speaking assessment raises a number of important questions about the validity, reliability and fairness of test procedures. This book, which is based on research into the speaking test of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), shows how the performance of learners in oral proficiency interviews cannot be taken unequivocally as an indication of their ability, as variation in interviewer behaviour can have an impact both on learner performance and on ratings outcomes. Volume 5 · Jianda Liu Measuring Interlanguage Pragmatic Knowledge of EFL Learners Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2006. XIV, 352 pp., 21 fig., 49 tab. ISBN 3-631-54595-9 / US-ISBN 0-8204-9811-4 · pb. € 45.50 Pragmatic competence is an integral and indispensable component of overall language competence. Omitting the pragmatic dimension from language assessment is, therefore, quite unfortunate. This book describes the development and validation of three test methods designed to test the interlanguage pragmatic knowledge of EFL learners. Altogether 413 subjects participated in the development of the tests. Results showed that all three methods investigated had measured learners’ interlanguage pragmatic knowledge. Quantitative analyses showed that the tests tapped the intended construct and the test methods measured a similar construct. Analyses of verbal reports yielded results which supported the quantitative analyses and revealed that the construct-relevant knowledge was involved in the test takers’ cognitive activities. This book ends with some pedagogical implications of this study and directions for further research. Currently in preparation Volume 6 · Rüdiger Grotjahn (Hrsg.) Der C-Test The C-Test Theorie, Empirie, Anwendungen Theory, Empirical Research, Applications Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2006. Approx. 280 pp. ISBN 3-631-55304-8 · pb. approx. € 49.80 Language Testing and Evaluation Edited by Rüdiger Grotjahn and Günther Sigott Our prices do not include postage and handling. Prices are subject to change without notice. Books are distributed by Peter Lang AG, Berne/Switzerland. 02/06 Our Internetbookshop http://www.peterlang.de allows quick and easy ordering! Peter Lang GmbH · Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften Eschborner Landstraße 42-50 · D-60489 Frankfurt am Main Telefon 0 69 / 78 07 05-0 · Fax 0 69 / 78 07 05-50 E-Mail: zentrale.frankfurt@peterlang.com . 3-631-55304-8 · pb. approx. € 49.80 Language Testing and Evaluation Edited by Rüdiger Grotjahn and Günther Sigott Our prices do not include postage and handling. Prices are subject to change. implications of the fluid construct phenomenon for language testing practice and research. Volume 2 · Carsten Röver Testing ESL Pragmatics Development and Validation of a Web-Based Assessment Battery Frankfurt. WissenschaftenPeter Lang · Europäischer Verlag der Wissenschaften Language Testing and Evaluation Edited by Rüdiger Grotjahn and Günther Sigott Volume 1 · Günther Sigott Towards Identifying the