Practical
Language Testing Glenn Fulcher
For all the inspiring teachers I have been lucky enough to have and especially Revd Ian Robins Who knows where the ripples end?
First published in Great Britain in 2010 by Hodder Education, An Hachette UK Company, 338 Euston Road, London NW1 3BH © 2010 Glenn Fulcher All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without either prior permission in writing from the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the United Kingdom such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency: Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Hachette UK’s policy is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. The advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of going to press, but neither the author nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
ISBN: 978 0 340 984482 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cover Image © Anthony Bradshaw/Photographer’s Choice RF/Getty Images Typeset in 10 on 13pt Minion by Phoenix Photosetting, Chatham, Kent Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe, Chippenham, Wilts What do you think about this book? Or any other Hodder Education title? Please send your comments to
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Contents Acknowledgements
vii
List of figures
ix
List of tables
xi
Preface
xiii
1 Testing and assessment in context 1. Test purpose 2. Tests in educational systems 3. Testing rituals 4. Unintended consequences 5. Testing and society 6. Historical interlude I 7. The politics of language testing 8. Historical interlude II 9. Professionalising language education and testing 10. Validity Activities
1 1 4 5 6 8 11 12 15 17 19 21
2 Standardised testing 1. Two paradigms 2. Testing as science 3. What’s in a curve? 4. The curve and score meaning