The Construct of language proficiency : applications of psychological models to language assessment : Symposium : 1st European congress of psychology : Papers

This books aims to open up new perspectives in the study of language proficiency by bringing together current research from different fields in psychology and linguistics. All contributions start out from empirical studies, which are then related to applications in language assessment. The book also serves as a survey of recent developments in psycholinguistic research in the Netherlands. The book starts out with a thorough introduction of international literature on models of language proficiency, language development and its assessment. Section 1 deals with first language proficiency and addresses such problems as grammar in early child language, grammatical proficiency and its (in)variance across a range of ages, reading abilities, and writing skills. Section 2 focuses on multilingual proficiency and deals with test bias in relation to the background of the second language learner, bilingual proficiency in ethnic minority children, the development of the second language learner lexicon, communicative competence of school-age children in the context of second language learning, the assessment of foreign language attrition and the dimensionality in oral foreign language proficiency. A collection of essays on first and second language proficiency from the fields of psychology and linguistics includes the following: "Modeling and Assessing Language Proficiency" (John H. A. L. de Jong, Ludo Verhoeven); "The Construct of Grammar in Early Language Development" (Folkert Kuiken); "Dimensions in Grammatical Proficiency" (Wim H. J. van Bon); "Monitoring Reading and Spelling Achievement" (Martin J. C. Mommers, Johan H. L. Oud); "Speech Activity Theory and Reading Comprehension Assessment" (Eduard Bol, Giel Gresnigt, Mariette J. de Haan); "Assessment of Reading Disabilities" (Aryan van der Leij, Harry Smeets); "Information Analysis in Written Discourse" (Carel van Wijk); "Large Scale Writing Assessment" (Henk Blok, Kees de Glopper); "Differential Item Functioning" (Frank Kok); "Assessment of Bilingual Proficiency" (Verhoeven); "Self-Assessment of Minority Language Proficiency" (Kees de Bot); "Exploring the Second Language Learner Lexicon" (Anne Vermeer); "Modeling Communicative Second Language Competence" (Verhoeven, Vermeer); "Modeling and Assessing Foreign Language Loss" (Erik Schils, Bert Weltens); and "Dimensions in Oral Foreign Language Proficiency" (de Jong, Lieneke W. van Ginkel). (MSE) 1. Modeling And Assessing Language Proficiency / John H.a.l. De Jong And Ludo Verhoeven -- Sect. 1. First Language Proficiency. 2. The Construct Of Grammar In Early Language Development / Folkert Kuiken. 3. Dimensions In Grammatical Proficiency / Wim H.j. Van Bon. 4. Monitoring Reading And Spelling Achievement / Martin J.c. Mommers And Johan H.l. Oud. 5. Speech Activity Theory And Reading Comprehension Assessment / Eduard Bol, Giel Gresnight And Mariette J. De Haan. 6. Assessment Of Reading Disabilities / Aryan Van Der Leij And Harry Smeets. 7. Information Analysis In Written Discourse / Carel Van Wijk. 8. Large Scale Writing Assessment / Henk Blok And Kees De Glopper -- Sect. 2. Multilingual Proficiency. 9. Differential Item Functioning / Frank Kok. 10. Assessment Of Bilingual Proficiency / Ludo Verhoeven. 11. Self-assessment Of Minority Language Proficiency / Kees De Bot. 12. Exploring The Second Language Learner Lexicon / Anne Vermeer. Edited By Ludo Verhoeven And John H.a.l. De Jong. Papers Presented At A Symposium Held Within The 1st European Congress Of Psychology, Amsterdam, July 1989. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The main aim of this book is to open up new perspectives in the study of language proficiency by bringing together current research from different fields in psychology and in linguistics. The book covers both proficiency in the first language and multilingual proficiency.