The document discusses approaches to language assessment, comparing traditional and communicative testing methods. Traditional tests focus on linguistic accuracy and discrete points, but cannot assess authentic performance ability. Communicative testing emerged to assess functional language use in contexts. It emphasizes learner strengths, ongoing assessment, and using tests to provide feedback to improve learning. Communicative tests aim to be learner-centered, reflective of real-life situations, and integrated with teaching to form a cycle of intention, action and reflection. However, authentic communication is difficult to test, so teachers often use simulated situations instead.

1. Communicative Testing Language Performance Evaluation

9. Traditional vs. Communicative Testing Traditional Testing Communicative Testing Testing and instruction are two separate activities Testing is an integral part of instruction Students are conceived in a uniform way Each learner is seen as a unique person Decisions are based on test scores Tests are one of many sources of data Emphasis on weakness/failure (what students cannot do) Emphasis on strength/progress (what students can do) One-shot test Ongoing assessment Cultural/socio-economic status bias Intercultural approach. More culture-fair Focus on one “right answer” Possibility of several perspectives as in real life Judgment without suggestions or opportunity for improvement Immediate feedback with useful information for improving/guiding learning Teaching is adapted to tests Tests are adapted to teaching Focus on linguistic competence (language components) Focus on communicative competence (language skills) Promotes individual learning and comparison between students (norm-referencing) Encourages collaborative learning and compares students to their own performance and the aims Promotes extrinsic motivation for a passing grade Promotes intrinsic motivation for the student’s own sake