From the previous materials we have discussed, we know
about kinds of test based on purpose and scoring. We now turn to one of the
primary concern of using test: language testing. Here are three kinds of
language testing based on concept:
Pre
Scientific Approach
a.
The
Classical and the Grammar-Translation Approaches
1.
Belief
about language ability
Learning a language in Greek and
Latin at time is linked more closely to the pride of being consider as a
scholar than the proficiency. The grammar translation in this approach
dominated the teaching of classical language and in the teaching the scientific
bases of the ideas on what language is, what language ability is, and how
language learning takes place.
2.
Advantages
Someone
is considered having mastered the target language if she/he should demonstrate
language abilities in translation.
3.
Disadvantages
Unclear distinction between teaching and testing and
the instruction is characterized heavily by the deductive introduction and
highly detailed explanation of grammar rules.
4.
Example
Sentence analysis: She decided to come
back before her father went home
Parts of speech: Noun
Adjective
Pronoun
Verb
Adverb
Preposition
Conjunction
Scientific Approach
a.
The
Discrete-Point Approach
1.
Belief
about language ability
Historically, this approach is popular in the 1960 to early 1980. Discrete-point
tests are constructed on the assumption that language can be broken down into
its component parts and that those parts can be tested successfully. Based on
that assumption we remember that there is a concept of duality in language.
First, we divide language into form and meaning. Second, we learn language
parts on its component-skill relation. The view implies that the mastery of
language consequently needs to be achieved through the mastery of each layer.
2.
Advantages
When we use discrete-point approach in our classroom test, we will find
that (1) discrete test is usually held on the form of multiple choice formats
which is reliable of its objectivity, (2) the discrete-test can cover wide
range of scope of materials to be put, (3) also, the test allows quantification
on the students’ responses.
3.
Disadvantages
Despite of its advantages, this approach also has some advantages: (1)
we will cost our energy and time because to serve a multiple choice test we
have to make some possible choices in each question and we have to hold some
tests that suitable for each language proficiency, (2) the test tend to be not
natural that lost the social context where verbal communication usually take
place, (3) due to that fact, success in doing the test does not guarantee that
we will success in daily life communication.
4.
Example
This test is broken down into the test that suitable for its each
component, such as tests about listening, speaking, reading, writing,
phonology/graphology, morphology, lexicon, syntax, and discourse. It was
claimed that an overall language proficiency test, then should sample all four
skills and as many linguistic discrete points as possible.
The following is example of discrete point test:
|
1.
Put a circle
around the word that is spoken to you.
seat sit
sheep ship
beat bit
eat it
peak pick
|
2.
The students …
into the classroom silently this morning.
a. walked b. walks
c. is walking d.
walk
|
3. The wall clock … every hour.
a. ring
b. ringing
c. is ringing
d. rings
|
b.
The
Integrative-Point Approach
1.
Belief
about language
The integrative-point approach appeared as an unsatisfying reaction of
the discrete-point followers. Oller (1979) argued that language competence is a
unified set of interacting abilities that cannot be tested separately. His
clime was that communicative competence is so global and requires such
integration (hence the term “integrative” testing) that it cannot be captured
in additive tests of grammar, reading, vocabulary, and other discrete point of
language. In language, sounds are combined become words, words become sentence
and produce certain meaning. Therefore, the meaning does not depend of each
word build the sentence, but the integration of the elements in the sentence.
This principle comes from Gestalt theory.
2.
Advantage
The followers of this approach clime that (1) this test is potential for
revealing several abilities including not just language abilities, but also
knowledge of the world and text structures, (2) the approach is interested in
testing language in context with a principal focus on meaning and total
communication effect of a textual discourse, (3) the test is easy to apply and
the instrument is cheap.
3.
Disadvantages
The
integrative-point approach also has some disadvantages when it is applied: (1) the
cloze test, for example, has low face in validity, (2) the scoring is not
reliable because it has no exact guidance of scoring, (3) the test, like cloze
procedure, do not reflect activities as those occurring in natural reading.
4.
Kinds
of integrative test
Examples of tests utilizing this principle include:
1)
Oral
interview : Bilingual Syntax Measure (BSM)
A picture is served to test takers. They have to
answer questions about the pictures. The question can be: (1) what is going on
the picture? (2) what will the man in the picture do? Etc.
2)
Writing
composition
3)
Dictation,
read from normal speed without pauses, long pause, to normal speed again.
I
will be away for one week to Jakarta and then Medan, starting from tomorrow.
Our agreement with the bank is not yet final. Two or three more points will
need addressing soon. So, while I am not in, please handle these things
securely.
4)
Cloze
procedures, here is an example of cloze test using fixed deletion strategy:
Hannah
is a smart SD student who now in the sixth year. She never gets English under
9. For……(1), in the last three……(2), she has scored 9, 10,…….(3) 10. Even, in
the first……(4), her English was 10 in……(5) report. Not just English,……(6) is
also smart in maths. In the last semester, she got 10 in the report!
2 comments:
It helps me as an English major student.
It helps me as an English major student.
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