The relationship between language testing and second language acquisition, revisited  

Oleh:

Shohamy, Elana

Jenis: Article from Journal - ilmiah internasional
Dalam koleksi: SYSTEM: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics (Full Text) vol. 28 no. 4 (Dec. 2000), page 541-553.
Topik: Second language acquisition; Language testing; Relevance; Interaction; Data collection; Second language research
Fulltext: Shohamy_Elana.pdf (104.72KB)

Isi artikel

Abstract The paper examines the relationship between and the relevance of second language acqui- sition (SLA) and language testing (LT). Based on three dimensions of potential contributions of LT to SLA [(1) de®ning the construct of language ability; (2) applying LT ®ndings to test SLA hypotheses; and (3) providing SLA researchers with quality criteria for tests and tasks] and three dimensions of potential contribution of SLA to LT [(1) identifying language com- ponents for elicitation and criteria assessment; (2) proposing tasks for assessing language; and (3) informing language testers about di?erences and accommodating these di?erences], this paper examines the interfaces of the two ®elds based on articles published in recent issues of the journals ``Language Testing'' and ``Studies in Second Language Acquisition''. The rele- vance of LT to SLA is examined based on written interviews with leading scholars in SLA who were asked about the relevance of LT to their work. The results indicate very limited interfaces between the two ®elds as well as limited relevance of LT to SLA. The conclusions and implications discuss to the potential need of LT to broaden its focus and scope by addressing broader views of language learning and language processing such as: viewing language in its complexities and dynamics; involving the learners and test takers; marketing better LT theories to those out of the ®eld; expanding the context beyond psychometrics; expanding the types of instruments used beyond tests; addressing educational issues; and working towards relevance.

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