Carmen Argondizzo, Jean M. Jimenez & Vanessa Marcella
University of Calabria, Italy
Creating valid and reliable language tests is one of the many challenges faced by University Language Centres today. In addition to the changes in language testing approaches implemented throughout the years and the move towards computer-based testing, test developers must also consider the backwash effect due to the close connection between language learning/teaching and assessment. While international language certifications may ensure standardization in language assessment, these tests may not always reflect the teaching approach adopted in the classroom and the learning objectives required by academic contexts. To address these issues, the University of Calabria's Language Center (CLA UniCal) formed a team of test developers consisting of qualified test writers and experienced teachers to develop a university-wide accepted B1 level test of English. Indeed, if great care is taken in creating well-constructed tasks which are valid and reliable, teacher-produced tests can offer the same quality standards as international exams with the advantage of being specifically aimed at the learning needs of the test takers and, thus, more relevant.
The aim of this presentation is to illustrate how the CLA UniCal team has designed and implemented a test for university students attending an English for basic academic skills course. This end-of-course achievement test is administered as part of the OLA project (Offerta Linguistica d'Ateneo- University Language Course Offer) which was introduced in 2010 and, thanks to its success, welcomes more than 3,600 students per year from 14 Departments. In particular, a detailed description of the task development phases will be discussed, including the target language skills assessed, the items and tasks, which are tailor-made in compliance with the course syllabus and aimed at creating a strong correspondence between the language test task and the target language use. Finally, we will present the data collected through a questionnaire on the students' opinions of the test design.
Questa presentazione ha lo scopo di condividere l'esperienza condotta da parte di un team di test developers in un Centro Linguistico Universitario dove si è costruito e implementato un test di livello B1 per gli studenti del corso English for basic academic skills. Il test è somministrato all'interno dell'Offerta Linguistica d'Ateneo (OLA), che ogni anno accoglie oltre 3.600 studenti provenienti da 14 Dipartimenti. Nello specifico, illustreremo le fasi della creazione del test, il costrutto e il format. Infine, i risultati del questionario sul gradimento del test sottoposto agli studenti verranno presentati.
Carmen Argondizzo is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Calabria (UniCal-Italy), where she teaches students majoring in Education, Business Administration, Cooperation & Development. Her research interests focus on discourse analysis in the field of ESP. She is Vice-President of CercleS, Member of the AICLU National Board, and President of the UniCal Language Centre, where she coordinates European projects aimed at enhancing students' autonomous language learning. She has recently become co-editor in chief of Language Learning in Higher Education, De Gruyter.
Jean Jimenez is a Researcher in English Language and Translation at the University of Calabria (UniCal-Italy), where she teaches EAP and ESP to undergraduate and graduate students. She is part of the Advisory Board of the University Language Centre and co-coordinator of the Test Development Team responsible for the design and development of EFL tests for university students. She has presented papers at national and international conferences in Europe and North America. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Lancaster University, UK.
Vanessa Marcella is an EFL Instructor and Test Developer at the University of Calabria Language Centre. She is also a Cambridge Speaking Examiner. She has a Bachelor's degree in Linguistic Mediation, a Master's degree in Information Technology for Humanities, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Language Analysis and Interdisciplinary studies.