SUBJECT OUTLINE

MA TESOL
Course Number: ELI 605
Course Title: Testing and assessment
Semester One, 2014/ 015
Time: Tuesday 1:00 – 3:20
Venue: Central library, Room 1

Teaching Staff
Name: Aishah Khojah
Extension: 27049
Building: 40, Room: 132
Office Hours: M.T.W. 10:00 – 11:00
Email: akhojah@kau.edu.sa
Email: ayykhojah@yahoo.com

Subject description
This subject provides a broad overview of the major principles involved in second and foreign
language testing and assessment. The focus is on both the theoretical and practical issues in
testing and assessment. The subject examines English language assessment including proficiency
and placement tests, high-stakes standardized testing, and traditional and non-traditional
assessment. It also examines testing techniques and procedures. The assessment of the four basic
language skills that demonstrate language proficiency is also examined. This subject emphasizes
the general principals of English language test construction and administration. Students are
provided with practical experience in preparing, correcting, analyzing and assessing language
tests.

Subject Objectives

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

 Understand the key concepts and the basic principles of language testing and assessment.
 Criticize the relationship of testing to teaching practice and syllabus design.
 Understand approaches and techniques in language test development and validation.
 Evaluate a test format in terms of purpose and appropriateness.
 Construct and design a test for a specific skill.
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MA TESOL
 Understand and follow an assessment rubric in order to develop a standardized language
test.

Content

Basic concepts and principles of language testing and assessment: Validity, Reliability,
Practicality, Authenticity, and Backwash or wash-back. Types of assessment: Summative and
formative assessments. Test specification. Types of tests: Placement test, Achievement test,
Diagnostic test, and Proficiency test. Grading and scoring. Alternative assessment: Portfolios,
Journals, and Self/Peer assessment.

Teaching and learning strategies

Before coming to class, please, read the assigned topics and relevant materials. Assignments
should be submitted on the given dates; late assignments are not accepted.

Program

Week Dates Description Presenters

Week 1 2 Sep. Registration week ****
7/11/35
Week 2 9 Sep. Ice-breaking. ****
14/ 11 An introduction to basic concepts in language testing and
assessment.
Week 3 16 Sep Discuss the weekly topics: Each student will pick a card that ****
21/ 11 includes a topic for presentation and class discussion.
Week 4 23 Sep National day break ****
28/ 11
Week 5 30 Sep. Hajj break ****
6/ 12
Week 6 7 Oct. Hajj break ****
13/ 12
Week 7 14 Oct. Principle of language assessment and testing: Validity
20/ 12 Principle of language assessment and testing: Reliability
Week 8 21 Oct. Principle of language assessment and testing: Practicality
27/ 12 Principle of language assessment and testing: Authenticity

First Assignment
Week 9 28 Oct. Principle of language assessment and testing: Backwash or
4/ 1/ 36 wash-back
Week 10 4 Nov. Types of assessment: Summative and formative asses
11/ 1
Week 11 11 Nov. Test specification
18/ 1
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MA TESOL
Week 12 18 Nov. Types of tests: Placement test
25/ 1 Types of tests: achievement test
Week 13 25 Nov. Types of tests: Diagnostic test
2/ 2 Types of tests: Proficiency test
Week 14 2 Dec. Grading and scoring
9/ 2
Second Assignment
Week 15 9 Dec. Alternative assessment: portfolios
16/ 2
Week 16 16 Dec. Alternative assessment: Journals
23/ 2
Week 17 23 Dec. Alternative assessment: self and peer assessment
30/ 2
Week 18 30 Dec. Third Assignment
7/ 3

Assessment

1- Individual assignment (20 marks), 1000 words reflection is due on 21/10/2014.

Each student will pick a card that includes a topic for presentation and class discussion.

2- Group work assignment (25 marks), 2000 words equivalent report is due on 2/12/2014.
Evaluate and criticize two types of test techniques in relation to the curriculum and
teaching practice at the ELI. (Examine test items provided by the ELI Test Unit).

3- Final project (50 marks), 3000 words equivalent paper is due on 30/12/2014.
Work with a partner and design a short test relevant to the ELI context, on one of the four
language skills. Evaluate your test in the light of ‘principles of language assessment’ (i.e.
validity and reliability).

4- Class participation (5 marks).

Recommended Readings

1- Brown, H. D., & Abeywickrama, P. (2010). Language assessment: Principles and classroom
practices. New York: Pearson Education. (Pdf.) (KEY TEXT)
2- Fulcher, G. (2010). Practical language testing. UK: Hodder Education. (Pdf.) (KEY TEXT)
3- Hughes, A. (2003). Testing for language teachers (2nd Ed). Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. (Pdf.)
4- Alderson, J. C., Clapham, C., & Wall, D., (1995). Language test construction and evaluation.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (central library)
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MA TESOL
5- Douglas, D. (2010). Understanding language testing. UK: Hodder Education.
6- McKay, P. (2006). Assessing Young Language Learners, Cambridge, Cambridge University
Press. (pdf.)
7- Weir, Cyril, J. (2005). Language testing and validation: an evidence-based approach.
Macmillan: Palgrave. (Pdf.)
8- Fultcher, G. and Davison, F. (2007). Language testing and assessment: an advanced resource
book. New York: Routledge. (Pdf.)

Relevant Journals

9- Language Assessment Quarterly

10- Language Testing (Sage Journals)
11- Assessing Writing: An International Journal

Other Resources

12- Language Testing Resources Website: http://www.languagetesting.info/

This site is designed and maintained by Prof. Glenn Fulcher