English language testing
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Susan M. Gass
Abstract
This paper chronicles the development of an English language test in Greece. The observations include data from surveys of school owners, instructors, Greek test item reviewers, students, and parents. The focus in the analysis is on how both the internal (psychometric and content) characteristics of the test and the circumstances surrounding its commission and use reflect major changes in the role that English is playing in the Greek context. The results show the importance of a complete understanding of the cultural context. We point out how intercultural sensitivities play out and can potentially derail a project such as the one described in this paper if intercultural issues are not adequately addressed.
Abstract
This paper chronicles the development of an English language test in Greece. The observations include data from surveys of school owners, instructors, Greek test item reviewers, students, and parents. The focus in the analysis is on how both the internal (psychometric and content) characteristics of the test and the circumstances surrounding its commission and use reflect major changes in the role that English is playing in the Greek context. The results show the importance of a complete understanding of the cultural context. We point out how intercultural sensitivities play out and can potentially derail a project such as the one described in this paper if intercultural issues are not adequately addressed.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Acknowledgement xi
- The dynamics of English in a multilingual Europe 1
- The increasing role of English in Basque education 15
- English language testing 31
- When comprehension is crucial 51
- English as a lingua franca and the Standard English misunderstanding 71
- The early acquisition of English as a second language 95
- “The more languages, the more English?” 113
- Conceptualizing ‘English’ for a multilingual Europe 133
- English as a foreign language 147
- Index 167
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors ix
- Acknowledgement xi
- The dynamics of English in a multilingual Europe 1
- The increasing role of English in Basque education 15
- English language testing 31
- When comprehension is crucial 51
- English as a lingua franca and the Standard English misunderstanding 71
- The early acquisition of English as a second language 95
- “The more languages, the more English?” 113
- Conceptualizing ‘English’ for a multilingual Europe 133
- English as a foreign language 147
- Index 167
