1. Evaluation, Testing, and Assessment
What does “evaluation” refer to in language education?
he overall process of collecting information to make judgments about learning or teaching.
What does “validity” mean?
The test measures what it is supposed to measure.
Which test places students in the right level at the beginning of a course?
Placement test.
What is construct validity?
The test measures the theoretical concept it claims to assess.
A student finishes a test in five minutes and smiles confidently. What might that suggest?
Either the test was too easy… or they forgot the back page. student didn’t read the instructions.
What is the main difference between “testing” and “assessment”?
Testing is formal and often graded; assessment is broader and includes informal observations.
Which feature ensures a test gives consistent results?
Reliability.
Which test checks student progress during a course?
Progress test.
What type of validity ensures that test tasks resemble real communication situations?
Authenticity validity.
During an oral test, the teacher nods and says “uh-huh” while the student speaks nonsense fluently. What’s really being assessed?
Confidence and performance skills — not language accuracy.
How are assessment and feedback connected in the learning process?
Answer: Assessment provides information that guides feedback, helping students understand progress and areas to improve.
What principle ensures a test is possible to design and apply with available time and resources?
Practicality.
Which test identifies a student’s specific strengths or weaknesses?
Diagnostic test.
Why must a test be reliable before it can be valid?
Because inconsistent results make validity impossible.
A test is 100% authentic, highly valid, but impossible to grade in under six hours. What principle was ignored?
Practicality — the test is beautiful, but the teacher’s mental health isn’t.
Which one involves both quantitative and qualitative data: testing, assessment, or evaluation?
Evaluation.
What principle examines how tests influence teaching and learning?
Washback.
Which test predicts a student’s potential for future language learning?
Aptitude test.
What is criterion validity?
When test results match those of an established standard.
If a teacher says, “Don’t worry, this quiz won’t affect your grade,” what can students infer?
It probably will — all assessments affect confidence and perception.
How can continuous assessment improve motivation?
It provides regular feedback that helps learners track and celebrate progress.
Why is transparency essential in testing?
Because students should understand the purpose, criteria, and expectations clearly.
Which test measures what students have learned at the end of a course?
Achievement test.
What is content validity?
The test fully represents the skill or content being assessed.
If a teacher writes “Good effort!” on a test with 3/20 correct, what does that feedback really mean?
“Nice try, but we have some serious washback to discuss.”