The development of a common framework scale of language proficiency / Brian North.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

North, Brian, 1950-

Contributor:

Class of 1932 Fund.

Series:

Theoretical studies in second language acquisition ; vol. 8.

Theoretical studies in second language acquisition ; vol. 8

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Language and languages--Ability testing.

Language and languages.

Scaling (Social sciences).

Communicative competence.

Physical Description:

xviii, 459 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : P. Lang, [2000]

Contents:

The Common European Framework 1

Scaling Proficiency Descriptors 3

1. Language Proficiency Scales 9

Attractions 11

Origins 13

Purposes 17

Types 21

Metaphors for Scales 23

Descriptions of Behaviour and Behavioural Objectives 25

Difficulties with Common Framework Scales 28

Definitions of Language Proficiency 41

Interpretations of Communicative Competence 43

Competence and Proficiency 47

The Native Speaker as Criterion 54

User Perspectives 60

Categories for Communicative Language Proficiency 62

Categories for Communicative Activity 98

A Unitary Competence: Holistic Approaches 115

Towards Balanced Scale Categories 123

3. Measurement 131

Criterion-referenced Assessment 131

The Development of Behaviourally-based Assessment Scales 139

Uniformity of Scales and Grids 146

Dimensionality 149

Types of Measurement Scales 153

Essentials of a Valid Measurement Scale 156

Common Methods of Scale Construction 161

The Rasch Measurement Model 162

Developing a Framework Scale with the Rasch Model 166

The Many-faceted Rasch Model 175

Summary on Measurement Issues 179

4. Developing a Descriptor Pool 181

Provisional Categories 182

Provisional Levels 183

Editing 184

Pre-testing Workshops with Teachers 185

5. Data Collection and Correction 193

Connecting Questionnaires 194

Rating Conference 198

Rating Scale 206

Subjects 207

Problems with the Analysis 208

6. Constructing the Scale 223

Analysis Specifications and Data Organisation 223

Facets Output 225

Investigating Use of the Rating Scale 230

Dimensionality: Identifying Problematic Content Strands 233

Refining the Dimension: Quality Control of Anchor Items 246

Investigating Variation across Sectors and Regions 255

Refining the Bank: Quality Control on Individual Descriptors 260

Establishing an Item Quality Hierarchy 268

7. Interpreting the Scale 271

Setting Cut-offs between Levels 271

Scale Shrinkage 283

Content Coherence 285

Progression in Proficiency 290

8. Learner Achievement 311

Decisions on Data Inclusion 311

Analysis 316

Achievement in Educational Sectors 322

Learner Calibrations from Two Data Sets 329

Concurrent Validity 331

Project Results 335

Replication in Year 2 338

Conclusions in Relation to the Rasch Model 341

Conclusions in Relation to Descriptors 343

Areas for Follow up and Further research 346.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [417]-459).

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1932 Fund.

ISBN:

0820448524

OCLC:

42289683