Testing Second Language Speaking

The testing and assessment of second language learners is an essential part of the language learning process. Glenn Fulcher's Testing Second Language Speaking is a state-of-the-art volume that considers the assessment of speaking from historical, theoretical and practical perspectives. The book offers the first systematic, comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the testing of second language speaking. Written in a clear and accessible manner, it covers: Explanations of the process of test design Costing test design projects How to put the test into practice Evaluation of speaking tests Task types for testing speaking Testing learners with disabilities It also contains a wealth of examples, including task types that are commonly used in speaking tests, approaches to researching speaking tests and specific methodologies that teachers, students and test developers may use in their own projects. Successfully integrating practice and theory, this book demystifies the process of testing speaking and provides a thorough treatment of the key ethical and technical issues in speaking evaluation. The testing and assessment of second language learners is an essential part of the language learning process. Glenn Fulcher's __Testing Second Language Speaking__ is a state-of-the-art volume that considers the assessment of speaking from historical, theoretical and practical perspectives.The book offers the first systematic, comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the testing of second language speaking. Written in a clear and accessible manner, it covers: * Explanations of the process of test design * Costing test design projects * How to put the test into practice * Evaluation of speaking tests * Task types for testing speaking * Testing learners with disabilities It also contains a wealth of examples, including task types that are commonly used in speaking tests, approaches to researching speaking tests and specific methodologies that teachers, students and test developers may use in their own projects. Successfully integrating practice and theory, this book demystifies the process of testing speaking and provides a thorough treatment of the key ethical and technical issues in speaking evaluation. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 8 Contents 10 List of tables and figures 11 Preface 12 Acknowledgements 17 List of abbreviations 21 1 The history of testing second language speaking 24 2 Defining the construct 41 3 Tasks for second language speaking tests 73 4 Rating scales 111 5 Test specifications 139 6 Raters, training and administration 161 7 Evaluating second language speaking tests 194 8 Researching second language speaking tests 222 Appendices 249 Appendix 1 The 1958 FSI band descriptors 249 Appendix 2 FSI component scales 251 Appendix 3 The ACTFL Guidelines 1986 253 Appendix 4 The Revised ACTFL Guidelines 1999 256 Appendix 5 Sample rating scales 262 Appendix 6 International second language proficiency ratings 269 Appendix 7 A sample transcript 270 Appendix 8 The fluency rating scale 273 Appendix 9 Questionnaire 276 References 279 Index 300 The testing and assessment of second language learners is an essential part of the language learning process. This is a state-of-the-art volume that considers the assessment of speaking from historical, theoretical and practical perspectives