دورية أكاديمية
The Retrofit of an English Language Placement Test Used for Large-Scale Assessments in Higher Education
| العنوان: | The Retrofit of an English Language Placement Test Used for Large-Scale Assessments in Higher Education |
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| اللغة: | English |
| المؤلفون: | Mendoza, Arturo, Martínez, Joaquín |
| المصدر: | International Journal of Language Testing. Mar 2023 13(1):139-165. |
| الإتاحة: | Tabaran Institute of Higher Education. Shariati 60, Shariati Blvd, Ghasem Abad, Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Tel: +98 (51) 35227215; e-mail: ijlt@tabaran.ac.ir; Web site: http://www.ijlt.ir/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 27 |
| تاريخ النشر: | 2023 |
| نوع الوثيقة: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Language Tests, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Student Placement, Language Proficiency, Testing Problems, Measurement, State Universities, Test Construction, Educational Change, Curriculum Development, Test Items, Item Response Theory, Comparative Analysis, Guidelines, Rating Scales, Language of Instruction, Strategic Planning, Undergraduate Students, Foreign Countries |
| مصطلحات جغرافية: | Latin America |
| تدمد: | 2476-5880 |
| مستخلص: | Language placement tests (LPTs) are used to assess students' proficiency in a progressive manner in the target language. Based on their performance, students are assigned to stepped language courses. These tests are usually considered low stakes because they do not have significant consequences in students' lives, which is perhaps the reason why studies conducted with LPTs are scarce. Nevertheless, tests should be regularly examined, and statistical analysis should be conducted to assess their functioning, particularly when they have a medium or highstakes impact. In the case of LPTs administered on a large-scale, the logistic and administrative consequences of an ill-defined test may lead to an economic burden and unnecessary use of human resources which can also affect students negatively. This study was undertaken at one of the largest public institutions in Latin America. Nearly 1700 students sit an English LPT every academic semester. A diagnostic statistical analysis revealed a need for revision. To retrofit the test, a new test architecture and blueprints were designed in adherence to the new curriculum created following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. After the institution gave two courses to language instructors in language assessment, new items were developed and tried out gradually in several pilot studies conducted with a sample of actual examinees. Then, Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to examine the functioning of the new test items. The aim of this study is to show how the test was retrofitted, and to compare the functioning of the retrofitted version of the English LPT with the previous one. The results show that the quality of items was higher than that of the former English LPT. This study has implications for the design of language tests administered large-scale in higher education, particularly in (semi) periphery countries that decide to design and administer their own LPTs. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| رقم الأكسشن: | EJ1385188 |
| قاعدة البيانات: | ERIC |
| تدمد: | 2476-5880 |
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