From Beginner To The Skilled Language Learner: A Primary Analysis Of Testing Spoken English By The Written Mode

Abstract

A language 'test' is a systematic procedure for observing a person's behavior and describing it with the aid of a numerical scale or category system (Cronbach LJ 1971: 26). A test cannot be based on a selection of items chosen on linguistic grounds alone, and that to devise an effective test, it is necessary to specify how an examinee requires to use the language. "The criterion for success lies not in formal correctness but in communicative effectiveness" [Carroll: 1980, 8] Tests of spoken English usually give priority to language aspects of performance highlighting vocabulary, grammar, syntax and lexicon and pronunciation features, rather than the effectiveness and appropriacy of communication. It is no secret that the testing of oral proficiency is one of the weakest items in our testing battery, the ability to write an essay is looked on as the sine qua non of language courses, whereas the ability to speak that language is rated much lower.