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9 - Task-Based Testing and Assessment

from Part III - Pedagogical Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2019

Rod Ellis ,
Peter Skehan ,
Shaofeng Li ,
Natsuko Shintani  and
Craig Lambert
Rod Ellis
Affiliation:
University of Auckland
Peter Skehan
Affiliation:
Birkbeck College, University of London
Shaofeng Li
Affiliation:
Florida State University
Natsuko Shintani
Affiliation:
Kansai University, Osaka
Craig Lambert
Affiliation:
Curtin University, Perth
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Summary

Chapter 9 begins by reviewing some general issues in testing - the different functions of tests (proficiency, achievement, diagnostic), summative and formative evaluation, norm versus criterion referencing and washback. It then outlines the theory of testing that underlies task-based assessment, arguing that it must take account of both competences (e.g. grammatical, sociolinguistic and strategic) and the ability to use language. It compares the interactive approach and the real-life approach to assessment. It discusses the challenge facing task-based assessment, namely how tasks can provide evidence of learners’ ability to use an L2 that is generalizable (i.e. not limited to the particular task used in a test). The chapter concludes by looking at the development of task-based tests in a number of case studies.

Keywords

introduction to testingunderlying language teaching theorytask research and task-based testingissues in task-based testingpractical approaches to task-based testing
Type
Chapter
Information
Task-Based Language Teaching
Theory and Practice
 , pp. 241 - 280
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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