Tutorial: Speech Assessment for Multilingual Children Who Do Not Speak the Same Language(S) As the Speech-Language Pathologist

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Tutorial: Speech Assessment for Multilingual Children Who Do Not Speak the Same Language(S) As the Speech-Language Pathologist McLeod, S., Verdon, S., Baker, E., Ball, M. J., Ballard, E., David, A. B., Bernhardt, B. M., Bérubé, D., Blumenthal, M., Bowen, C., Brosseau-Lapré, F., Bunta, F., Crowe, K., Cruz-Ferreira, M., Davis, B., Fox-Boyer, A., Gildersleeve-Neumann, C., Grech, H., Goldstein, B., ... International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech (2017). Tutorial: Speech assessment for multilingual children who do not speak the same language(s) as the speech-language pathologist. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 26(3), 691-708. https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJSLP-15-0161 Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record License (if available): CC BY Link to published version (if available): 10.1044/2017_AJSLP-15-0161 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via ASHA at https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2017_AJSLP-15-0161. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/ AJSLP Tutorial Tutorial: Speech Assessment for Multilingual Children Who Do Not Speak the Same Language(s) as the Speech-Language Pathologist Sharynne McLeod,a,b Sarah Verdon,a,b and The International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech Purpose: The aim of this tutorial is to support speech- Results: This tutorial draws on international research evidence language pathologists (SLPs) undertaking assessments and professional expertise to provide a comprehensive of multilingual children with suspected speech sound overview of working with multilingual children with suspected disorders, particularly children who speak languages that speech sound disorders. This overview addresses referral, are not shared with their SLP. case history, assessment, analysis, diagnosis, and goal Method: The tutorial was written by the International Expert setting and the SLP’s cultural competence and preparation Panel on Multilingual Children’s Speech, which comprises for working with interpreters and multicultural support 46 researchers (SLPs, linguists, phoneticians, and speech workers and dealing with organizational and government scientists) who have worked in 43 countries and used barriers to and facilitators of culturally competent practice. 27 languages in professional practice. Seventeen panel Conclusion: The issues raised in this tutorial are applied membersmetfora1-dayworkshoptoidentifykeypointsfor in a hypothetical case study of an English-speaking inclusioninthetutorial,26panelmembers contributed to writing SLP’s assessment of a multilingual Cantonese- and this tutorial, and 34 members contributed to revising this English-speaking 4-year-old boy. Resources are listed tutorial online (some members contributedtomorethan1task). throughout the tutorial. he development of children’s multilingual compe- language disorders (Cruz-Ferreira, 2011). However, recent tency in their home language(s) and the dominant large-scale longitudinal research has revealed that children T language plays an important role in children’s cul- speaking more than one language achieved educational and tural identity, well-being, and sense of self (De Houwer, social-emotional outcomes similar to those of their monolin- 2015; Puig, 2010). Speaking multiple languages may have gual peers (McLeod, Harrison, Whiteford, & Walker, 2016). academic benefits including enhanced cognitive skills (e.g., In a systematic review, “limited evidence to suggest that executive functioning and working memory) and social bilingual children develop speech at a slower rate than their benefits including enhanced relationships (e.g., with grand- monolingual peers” was found (Hambly, Wren, McLeod, parents) and participation in community activities (Adesope, & Roulstone, 2013, p. 1). Lavin, Thompson, & Ungerleider, 2010; Nguyen & Astington, Timing, amount, and quality of language exposure 2014; Park & Sarkar, 2007). People in many parts of the influence the level of proficiency in each of the languages a world have a monolingual mindset (Hajek & Slaughter, person speaks. Although simultaneous multilingual speakers 2014) that (mis)takes monolingualism for linguistic health are exposed to multiple languages from birth, sequential and competence. In some instances, monolingualism is rec- multilingual speakers establish their first language(s) in ommended as the “cure” for suspected or actual speech and the home environment and then learn additional languages in educational or community contexts. Kohnert (2010) proposed a theoretical account of multilingual language a Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia development in which she identified three common charac- b ’ International Expert Panel on Multilingual Children s Speech, teristics of typical development featured among both simul- Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia taneous and sequential multilingual speakers: distributed Correspondence to Sharynne McLeod: [email protected] skills and uneven ability, cross-language associations, and Editor: Krista Wilkinson individual variation. Each of these characteristics has impor- Associate Editor: Li Sheng tant implications for the assessment of multilingual children. Received October 15, 2015 Revision received March 9, 2016 Accepted June 22, 2016 Disclosure: The authors have declared that no competing interests existed at the time https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJSLP-15-0161 of publication. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology • Vol. 26 • 691–708 • August 2017 • Copyright © 2017 The Authors 691 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Downloaded from: https://pubs.asha.org University of Bristol Library on 56/14/2019, Terms of Use: https://pubs.asha.org/pubs/rights_and_permissions The common pattern of distributed skills and uneven logopeda, logopedist, logoped, logopédiste, orthophoniste, ability is manifested by varying levels of proficiency in each patóloga/o de habla y lenguaje, speech pathologist, speech of the child’s languages. Language dominance is not a and language therapist, etc.). static construct and may vary depending on age, speaking The complexities of assessing multilingual children’s partners, speaking contexts, and opportunities to develop speech have been discussed previously (Caesar & Kohler, certain skills in each language. Thus, an assessment of each 2007; Jordaan, 2008; Maul, 2015; Williams & McLeod, language may show different strengths in particular language 2012) and include “referral, assessment, intervention, ser- domains distributed unevenly across the languages (Kohnert vice delivery, cultural competence, knowledge of other & Bates, 2002), emphasizing the need to regularly assess all languages, training, and collaboration with interpreters” languages to gain an accurate picture of language capacities. (McLeod, Verdon, Bowen, & International Expert Panel Cross-language associations among multilingual chil- on Multilingual Children’s Speech [IEPMCS], 2013, p. 376). dren are commonly known as cross-linguistic transfer. These SLPs have acknowledged competence in the assessment effects can occur at the phonological, lexical–semantic, and of monolingual children’s speech but must consider addi- morphosyntactic levels of language. Transfer effects between tional aspects when assessing the speech of children who languages can be positive (facilitating language performance) speak nondominant languages and dialects. or negative (impeding language performance), with the ex- The specific aims of this tutorial are as follows: tent of transfer depending on how similar the languages are 1. Provide guidelines for the assessment of multilingual (Döpke, 2000). Transfer effects reveal that multiple languages children with suspected SSD who do not speak the are mediated through a central language processing mecha- same language(s) as the SLP nism even when they are functionally independent (Blumenfeld & Marian, 2009). The cognitive interaction of languages 2. Identify key aspects and resources for the assessment within this mechanism explains why the languages of multi- of multilingual children with suspected SSD lingual speakers are impacted when speech sound disorders 3. Provide a case study to demonstrate the application (SSD) and/or language impairment is present. of the principles within this tutorial Considerable individual variation in multilingual lan- guage acquisition and skill development is due to linguistic, This tutorial is aspirational, grounded in both cur- personal, and environmental factors. Thus, group norms rently available empirical evidence and expert opinion for for multilingual development are difficult to establish even assessing multilingual children with suspected SSD. when groups are tightly defined and may appear to be homogeneous (Pham & Kohnert, 2010). Therefore, the Development of This Tutorial best practice for assessing multilingual children requires multiple measures to assess all languages at multiple points The IEPMCS formed in 2012 and has subsequently in time (Kohnert, 2013). expanded, comprising people with specialist knowledge and publications in the field of SSD and multilingualism. A subset of the IEPMCS (17 members who had worked in Tutorial Overview and Aims
Recommended publications
  • Manual for Language Test Development and Examining
    Manual for Language Test Development and Examining For use with the CEFR Produced by ALTE on behalf of the Language Policy Division, Council of Europe © Council of Europe, April 2011 The opinions expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Council of Europe. All correspondence concerning this publication or the reproduction or translation of all or part of the document should be addressed to the Director of Education and Languages of the Council of Europe (Language Policy Division) (F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex or [email protected]). The reproduction of extracts is authorised, except for commercial purposes, on condition that the source is quoted. Manual for Language Test Development and Examining For use with the CEFR Produced by ALTE on behalf of the Language Policy Division, Council of Europe Language Policy Division Council of Europe (Strasbourg) www.coe.int/lang Contents Foreword 5 3.4.2 Piloting, pretesting and trialling 30 Introduction 6 3.4.3 Review of items 31 1 Fundamental considerations 10 3.5 Constructing tests 32 1.1 How to define language proficiency 10 3.6 Key questions 32 1.1.1 Models of language use and competence 10 3.7 Further reading 33 1.1.2 The CEFR model of language use 10 4 Delivering tests 34 1.1.3 Operationalising the model 12 4.1 Aims of delivering tests 34 1.1.4 The Common Reference Levels of the CEFR 12 4.2 The process of delivering tests 34 1.2 Validity 14 4.2.1 Arranging venues 34 1.2.1 What is validity? 14 4.2.2 Registering test takers 35 1.2.2 Validity
    [Show full text]
  • A Tested Phonological Therapy in Practice
    A tested phonological therapy in practice Caroline Bowen Macquarie University and L. Cupples Macquarie University Abstract The focus here is a detailed case description of a broad-based model for treat - ing developmental phonological disorders. Successful treatment comprising 27 consultations over 17 months, of a girl aged 4;4 at the outset, with a mod - erate phonological disability, is examined in detail. The model’s strength is in its combination of family education, metalinguistic tasks, phonetic produc - tion procedures, multiple exemplar techniques and homework. Treatment is administered in planned alternating therapy blocks and breaks from therapy attendance. Introduction In the field of speech-language pathology, the terms de v e l o p m e n t a l phonological disorder and phonological disability broadly denote a linguistic disorder in children, manifested by the use of abnormal patterns in the spoken medium of language. The terms reflect the influence of clinical phonology upon the way in which many linguists and language clinicians now conceptualize children’s speech sound disorders (Baker, 1997; Bernthal and Bankson, 1994; Fey, 1992; Grunwell, 1995; Pol l o c k , 1994), especially in terms of generative and natural phonology (see Ingram (1997) and Grunwell (1997), respectively for reviews of the influence of these two schools of phonology). The first author’s clinical and research fascination with phonological disability stems from experience as a speech- language pathologist, treating children with the disorder since the early 1970s. In that period, there have been two important paradigm shifts. First, linguistic theory has explicated the distinction between phonetics: the study Address for correspondence: Dr Caroline Bowen, 17 St John’s Avenue, Gordon, 2072 NSW, Aus t r a l i a .
    [Show full text]
  • Methods for Pronunciation Assessment in Computer Aided Language Learning by Mitchell A
    Methods for Pronunciation Assessment in Computer Aided Language Learning by Mitchell A. Peabody M.S., Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (2002) B.S., Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (2002) Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY September 2011 © Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011. All rights reserved. Author............................................................. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science September 2011 Certified by . Stephanie Seneff Senior Research Scientist Thesis Supervisor Accepted by. Professor Leslie A. Kolodziejski Chair, Department Committee on Graduate Students 2 Methods for Pronunciation Assessment in Computer Aided Language Learning by Mitchell A. Peabody Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science on September 2011, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Abstract Learning a foreign language is a challenging endeavor that entails acquiring a wide range of new knowledge including words, grammar, gestures, sounds, etc. Mastering these skills all require extensive practice by the learner and opportunities may not always be available. Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) systems provide non-threatening environments where foreign language skills can be practiced where ever and whenever a student desires. These systems often have several technologies to identify the different types of errors made by a student. This thesis focuses on the problem of identifying mispronunciations made by a foreign language student using a CALL system. We make several assumptions about the nature of the learning activity: it takes place using a dialogue system, it is a task- or game-oriented activity, the student should not be interrupted by the pronunciation feedback system, and that the goal of the feedback system is to identify severe mispronunciations with high reliability.
    [Show full text]
  • An Interview with Alistair Van Moere Aaron Batty [email protected] SRB General Editor
    Interview The psycholinguistic approach to speaking assessment An interview with Alistair Van Moere Aaron Batty [email protected] SRB General Editor Alistair Van Moere is the vice president of product and test develop- ment at Pearson’s Knowledge Technologies Group, and is responsi- ble for the development, delivery, and validation of their automated language tests, including the Versant test (previously known as PhonePass). Versant is a telephone- or computer-mediated, com- puter-scored test of speaking proficiency, available in six languages, including English. Although computer scoring is widely used for multiple-choice test formats, Versant is revolutionary in its use of computer scoring of speaking proficiency. Van Moere and his col- leagues have written extensively on the validation of the Versant test and its methods of automated scoring (e.g. Bernstein, Van Moere, & Cheng, 2010; Van Moere, 2010), and he has most recently raised eyebrows with his calls for a “psycholinguistic” approach to speaking assessment from the pages of Language Testing (2012). Prior to his employment at Pearson, Alistair was instrumental in the development of the Kanda English Proficiency Test at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba, and drew from his experience with its speaking test in his PhD work under Charles Alderson at Lancaster Univer- sity—work which won him the Jacqueline Ross TOEFL Dissertation Award in 2010 (a portion of which can be read in Van Moere, 2006). We were pleased that Alistair was willing to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about the psycholinguistic approach to language assessment, the Versant tests, and the communicative/psycholinguistic divide.
    [Show full text]
  • Second Language Pronunciation Assessment
    Second Language Pronunciation Assessment SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Series Editors: Professor David Singleton, University of Pannonia, Hungary and Fellow Emeritus, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and Dr Simone E. Pfenninger, University of Salzburg, Austria This series brings together titles dealing with a variety of aspects of language acquisition and processing in situations where a language or languages other than the native language is involved. Second language is thus interpreted in its broadest possible sense. The volumes included in the series all offer in their different ways, on the one hand, exposition and discussion of empirical findings and, on the other, some degree of theoretical reflection. In this latter connection, no particular theoretical stance is privileged in the series; nor is any relevant perspective – sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, neurolinguistic, etc. – deemed out of place. The intended readership of the series includes final-year undergraduates working on second language acquisition projects, postgraduate students involved in second language acquisition research, and researchers, teachers and policy-makers in general whose interests include a second language acquisition component. Full details of all the books in this series and of all our other publications can be found on http://www.multilingual-matters.com, or by writing to Multilingual Matters, St Nicholas House, 31–34 High Street, Bristol BS1 2AW, UK. SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: 107 Second Language Pronunciation Assessment Interdisciplinary Perspectives Edited by Talia Isaacs and Pavel Trofi movich MULTILINGUAL MATTERS Bristol • Blue Ridge Summit In Memory of Alan Davies and Danielle Guénette DOI 10.21832/ISAACS6848 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
    [Show full text]
  • Speech and Language Assessments, Occupational Therapy and U Talent Assessment Resources
    SpeechCat06_p001-7_F1.qxd 11/29/05 2:26 PM Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK REFERENCE Speech and Language Terms and Conditions, (including Software Policy). 94-102 Assessment Order Form . 102 Indexes. 107-112 I Spanish Assessments . 7 I Auditory Processing/ADHD . 69 I Language . 10 I Neurological/Cognition/ I Language Semantics/Concepts . 38 Problem Solving/ Memory . 72 I Speech and Language . 45 I Autism/Pragmatics/ Sensory Integration . 85 T I Speech: Articulation/Phonology . 48 A I B I Literacy. 53 Professional Resources . 92 L E I I Clinical Consultants . 103 General Development . 61 O I Speech: Apraxia/Oral . 66 I Author Index . 107 F C I Feeding and Swallowing. 67 I Acronym/Product Indexes. 109 O N T E N T LOOK FOR THESE SYMBOLS S FOR SPECIAL PRODUCT INFORMATION! TRAINING ¡Sí! Product Training Look for Innovative, Quality Assessments for New Products Spanish-Speaking Clients Page 6 Page 7 A-C LEVEL CR Qualifications Software Clinical Reports (Technical & Software) PHONE 800-211-8378 • FAX 800-232-1223 • PsychCorp.com • PROMO CODE MS699 1 ASSESSMENT GUIDE Tests (Does not include distributed products) Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile Assessment of Literacy and Language (ALL) Auditory Continuous Performance Test (ACPT) Alzheimer’s Quick Test (AQT) Apraxia Profile Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome in Children (BADS–C) Behavioural Inattention T Boehm–3 English and Spanish Boehm–3 Preschool Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA) Bracken Basic Concepts Scale:
    [Show full text]
  • 123 Designing Language Assessments in Context
    Designing Language Assessments in Context: Theoretical, HOW Journal Technical, and Institutional Considerations Volume 26, Number 2, pages 123-143. https://doi.org/10.19183/how.26.2.512 Designing Language Assessments in Context: Theoretical, Technical, and Institutional Considerations El diseño de evaluaciones de lengua en contexto: consideraciones teóricas, técnicas e institucionales Giraldo, Frank1 Abstract The purpose of this article of reflection is to raise awareness of how poor design of language assessments may have detrimental effects, if crucial qualities and technicalities of test design are not met. The article first discusses these central qualities for useful language assessments. Then, guidelines for creating listening assessments, as an example, are presented to illustrate the level of complexity in test design and to offer a point of reference to evaluate a sample assessment. Finally, the article presents a discussion on how institutional school policies in Colombia can influence language assessment. The article concludes by highlighting how language assessments should respond to theoretical, technical, and contextual guidelines for them to be useful. Keywords: language testing, language assessment literacy, qualities in language testing, test design. Resumen El objetivo de este artículo de reflexión es el de crear consciencia sobre cómo un deficiente diseño de las evaluaciones de lengua puede tener efectos adversos si ciertas cualidades y consideraciones técni- cas no se cumplen. En primer lugar, el artículo hace una revisión de estas cualidades centrales para las evaluaciones. Seguidamente, presenta, a manera de ilustración, lineamientos para el diseño de pruebas de comprensión de escucha; el propósito es dilucidar el nivel de complejidad requerido en el diseño de 123 1 Frank Giraldo is a language teacher educator in the Modern Languages program and Master of Arts in English Didactics at Universidad de Caldas, Colombia.
    [Show full text]
  • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and Updates the 2001 FRAMEWORK Version
    COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES: LEARNING, TEACHING, ASSESSMENT TEACHING, LEARNING, EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK OF REFERENCE FOR LANGUAGES: COMMON COMMON EUROPEAN The CEFR Companion volume broadens the scope of language education. It re- flects academic and societal developments since the publication of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and updates the 2001 FRAMEWORK version. It owes much to the contributions of members of the language teaching profession across Europe and beyond. OF REFERENCE This volume contains: ► an explanation of the key aspects of the CEFR for teaching and learning; FOR LANGUAGES: ► a complete set of updated CEFR descriptors that replaces the 2001 set with: - modality-inclusive and gender-neutral descriptors; LEARNING, TEACHING, - added detail on listening and reading; - a new Pre–A1 level, plus enriched description at A1 and C levels; ASSESSMENT - a replacement scale for phonological competence; - new scales for mediation, online interaction and plurilingual/ pluricultural competence; - new scales for sign language competence; ► a short report on the four-year development, validation and consultation processes. The CEFR Companion volume represents another step in a process of engage- ment with language education that has been pursued by the Council of Europe since 1971 and which seeks to: ► promote and support the learning and teaching of modern languages; ► enhance intercultural dialogue, and thus mutual understanding, social cohesion and democracy; ► protect linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe; and ► promote the right to quality education for all. EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY 058220 PREMS www.coe.int/lang-cefr ENG The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading Companion volume human rights organisation.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaacs-Pronunciation.Pdf
    Pronunciation Talia Isaacs, University of Bristol From a historical perspective, it can be argued that pronunciation, more than any other component within the broad construct of second language (L2) speaking ability, has been subject to the whims of the time and the fashions of the day. That is, pronunciation, once dubbed “the Cinderella of language teaching” to depict its potentially glamorous yet marginalised existence (Kelly 1969:87), experienced a fall from grace after being a focal point of L2 instruction and teacher literacy training during its heyday-a prime example of a pendulum swing in L2 teaching methodologies and practices (Gass 1996) that have affected substantive coverage for learners in L2 classrooms, often with detrimental effects for stakeholders (e.g. Morley 1991). Naturally, the aspects of L2 speech (pronunciation) that are ascribed pedagogical value in the minds of teachers and researchers have shifted over time (Munro and Derwing 2011). However, an aerial view of developments over the past century reveals the polarised nature of researchers’ and practitioners’ beliefs on the relative importance of pronunciation in L2 aural/oral instruction and assessment. Although there are signs that pronunciation is increasingly acknowledged as an important component of L2 speaking ability by the applied linguistics community (Derwing and Munro 2009), is gradually being reintegrated into the L2 classroom (Isaacs 2009), and is included as an assessment criteria in the scoring rubrics of several prominent L2 speaking scales, often encapsulated by the term “intelligibility” or “comprehensibility” (Isaacs and Trofimovich 2012), such debates continue today (e.g. Brinton and Butler 2012). In order to take stock of trends in L2 pronunciation research, teaching, and assessment over the past century within the broader context of developments in L2 speaking assessment, this paper will report on the state-of-the-art by first overviewing the ways in which pronunciation instructional priorities and, by implication, assessment targets, have shifted over time.
    [Show full text]
  • Second Language Assessment for Classroom Teachers
    Second Language Assessment for Classroom Teachers Thu H. Tran Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, Missouri, USA Abstract The vast majority of second language teachers feels confident about their instructional performance and does not usually have much difficulty with their teaching thanks to their professional training and accumulated classroom experience. Nonetheless, many second language teachers may not have received sufficient training in test development to design sound classroom assessment tools. The overarching aim of this paper is to discuss some fundamental issues in second language assessment to provide classroom practitioners with knowledge to improve their test development skills. The paper begins with the history, importance, and necessity of language assessment. It then reviews common terms used in second language assessment and identifies categories and types of assessments. Next, it examines major principles for second language assessment including validity, reliability, practicality, equivalency, authenticity, and washback. The paper also discusses an array of options in language assessment which can generally be classified into three groups: selected-response, constructed-response, and personal response. Finally, the paper argues for a balanced approach to second language assessment which should be utilized to yield more reliable language assessment results, and such an approach may reduce students’ stress and anxiety. (This paper contains one table.) 1 Paper presented at MIDTESOL 2012, Ames, Iowa The History of Language Assessment It may be difficult to find out when language assessment was first employed. The Old Testament, however, described an excellent example of one of the earliest written documents related to some kind of language assessment, as noted by Hopkins, Stanley, and Hopkins (1990).
    [Show full text]
  • Language Testing and Assessment: an Advanced Resource Book Glenn Fulcher and Fred Davidson Language Testing and Assessment an Advanced Resource Book
    LANGUAGE TESTING AND ASSESSMENT Routledge Applied Linguistics is a series of comprehensive resource books, pro- viding students and researchers with the support they need for advanced study in the core areas of English language and Applied Linguistics. Each book in the series guides readers through three main sections, enabling them to explore and develop major themes within the discipline. • Section A, Introduction, establishes the key terms and concepts and extends readers’ techniques of analysis through practical application. • Section B, Extension, brings together influential articles, sets them in context and discusses their contribution to the field. • Section C, Exploration, builds on knowledge gained in the first two sections, setting thoughtful tasks around further illustrative material. This enables readers to engage more actively with the subject matter and encourages them to develop their own research responses. Throughout the book, topics are revisited, extended, interwoven and deconstructed, with the reader’s understanding strengthened by tasks and follow-up questions. Language Testing and Assessment: • provides an innovative and thorough review of a wide variety of issues from prac- tical details of test development to matters of controversy and ethical practice • investigates the importance of the philosophy of pragmatism in assessment, and coins the term ‘effect-driven testing’ • explores test development, data analysis, validity and their relation to test effects • illustrates its thematic breadth in a series of exercises and tasks, such as analysis of test results, study of test revision and change, design of arguments for test validation and exploration of influences on test creation • presents influential and seminal readings in testing and assessment by names such as Michael Canale and Merrill Swain, Michael Kane, Alan Davies, Lee Cronbach and Paul Meehl and Pamela Moss.
    [Show full text]
  • The Teacher's Role in Classroom-Based Language
    Teachers College, Columbia University Working Papers in TESOL & Applied Linguistics, Vol. 11, No.1, pp. 50-52 The Forum The Teacher’s Role in Classroom-based Language Assessment Yuna Seong Teachers College, Columbia University Different from large-scale language tests aiming to measure general proficiency and often administered in specific highly-controlled test settings, classroom-based language assessment is embedded in the teaching and learning cycle of a classroom and has multiple “identities” (Rea- Dickins, 2001, p. 451) due to its wide range of uses or purposes. Classroom-based language assessment is an integral part of language instruction where the teachers, as “agents” (Rea- Dickins, 2004), are the ones responsible for facilitating student learning and obtaining information about their progress and achievement, hence, also earning the name teacher assessment. From planning what to assess and how, through implementing assessment procedures and monitoring students’ performances to recording students’ attainment and progress, the teacher is constantly making decisions on how to keep track of students’ progress and attainment (Rea-Dickins, 2001). Either accomplished through a formal assessment procedure or through informal daily monitoring and observation, the teacher’s knowledge of the students guides him/her to make subsequent pedagogical decisions and push learning further. The implementation and use of classroom-based language assessment vary greatly in form and procedure (Cheng, Rogers, & Hu, 2004; Cheng & Wang, 2007), and studies have contributed to the understanding of the underlying factors and processes that impact the thinking and decision-making in assessment practices on the part of the teachers (e.g., Arkoudis & O’Loughlin, 2004; Cheng et al., 2004; Yin, 2010).
    [Show full text]