The module aims to provide participants with an opportunity to review recent develpments in approaches to language testing, and to examine critically professional practices in the light of these developments.

The module covers both standardized national/international tests and classroom tests. For standardized tests, we examine why they have been designed in the way they have; how they relate to teaching; what conclusions can be drawn from scores on the tests (this includes a simple introduction to statistics for testers); and what the advantages and disadvantages of the test types are. For classroom tests, we discuss in what ways they are (or should be) different from standardized tests; we look at factors which may influence their design and the choice of different test types; and we consider the relationship between testing and teaching. Througho ut the module we examine what is involved in implementing the ideas by evaluating sample tests and test items of various kinds for specific types of learners. We also do some work on designing our own tests. The main focus is on identifying testing techniques which will complement communicative approaches to teaching.

Students will be able:

- to demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of a range of relevant literature

to show awareness of key aspects of the practical implementation of a communicative approach to testing.

   on the basis of the concepts introduced in the module and through their reading, to reflect critically on existing materials for the testing of Foreign Languages, with special focus on English

    to reflect critically on professional practices in language testing, and design and discuss appropriate ways of improving them where necessary

Topics typically covered include:

- Three generations of testing theory

- Key concepts in testing: types of test

- An introduction to statistics for testers

- Testing communicative performance

- Designing test specifications

- Testing skills: evaluating published tests

- Testing skills: designing your own tests

- Testing grammar

- Reliability in marking

- Alternative approaches to assessment

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