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Testing Grammar

This document discusses different methods for testing grammar learning and their pros and cons. It notes that grammar is often tested through discrete multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions that test individual components of knowledge. While practical and reliable, these types of tests only measure factual knowledge and not broader language ability. The document outlines factors to consider when evaluating a test, such as practicality, reliability, validity, and influence on teaching. It also lists some alternative techniques for testing grammar structures like modified cloze, text completion, and paraphrasing. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of testing grammar in a way that provides useful feedback, while acknowledging limitations of traditional testing methods.

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137 views2 pages

Testing Grammar

This document discusses different methods for testing grammar learning and their pros and cons. It notes that grammar is often tested through discrete multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions that test individual components of knowledge. While practical and reliable, these types of tests only measure factual knowledge and not broader language ability. The document outlines factors to consider when evaluating a test, such as practicality, reliability, validity, and influence on teaching. It also lists some alternative techniques for testing grammar structures like modified cloze, text completion, and paraphrasing. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of testing grammar in a way that provides useful feedback, while acknowledging limitations of traditional testing methods.

Uploaded by

ancuta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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11.

TESTING GRAMMAR

-We have taught the grammar. We have practised it.We have corrected it. But how do we
know if the process has worked? How do we test it?
- Grammar is typically tested by means of what we called discrete-item texts; that is individual
components of the learner's knowledge are tested using tasks such as gap-fills or multiple
choice tasks;
- Tests of this sort make up a significant proportion of what passes as grammar testing :
1. Placement tests- purpose of the test is to place the learners in the right class
2. Progress tests- to test how they are getting on mid-course;
3. Achievement tests- to test how well they have done at the end;
- One of the attractions of these kinds of test is that they are relatively easy to design, and
they are very easy to set and mark: they are practical;
- They meet learner's expectations, they have what is called face validity;
- They also full another criterion of test effectiveness in that they are reliable;
- They are also valid tests if all we want to test is the learner's knowledge of a specific area;
- There are six factors that need to be taken into account when assessing the value of a test:
1. Its practicality- how easy is it to set up, administer, and mark?
2. Its reliability- does it give consistent results?
3. Its validity- does it test what we want to test, and not something else?
4. Its face validity- does the students recognise it as a fair test?
5. Backwash- does it positively influence the teaching that will be done in preparation
for it?
6. Spin-off- can the test be used for review and remedial teaching?

- Here are some techniques for testing structures which are most widely used by teachers:
1. Multiple-choice;
2. Modified cloze;
3. Text completion;
4. Paraphrase;
- Whatever test-type is chosen, it is important that students are familiar with it in advance;
- Since tests are recognized means of providing both teacher and learner with feedback on
teaching/ learning process , and since they are useful means of encouraging learners to
review, they can have a positive influence on language learning;
- It is important, however, that testing be done well- or as well as possible.

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