Examining writing : research and practice in assessing second language writing / Stuart D. Shaw and Cyril J. Weir.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shaw, Stuart D., 1962-

Contributor:

Weir, Cyril J.

Series:

Studies in language testing ; 26.

Studies in language testing ; 26

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Language and languages--Ability testing.

Language and languages.

Rhetoric--Ability testing.

Rhetoric.

Ability--Testing.

Physical Description:

xiv, 344 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Test developers need to provide a clear explication of the language ability constructs that underpin the tests they offer in the public domain; such an explication is essential for supporting claims about the validity - or usefulness - of test scores. This volume describes the theory and practice of Cambridge ESOL's approach to assessing second language writing ability. A comprehensive test validation framework is used to examine the tasks in Cambridge ESOL writing tests from a number of different validity perspectives that reflect the socio-cognitive nature of any assessment event. The authors show how an understanding and analysis of the framework and its components can assist test developers to operationalise their tests more effectively, especially in relation to the key criteria that differentiate one proficiency level from another. The book provides: an up-to-date review of relevant literature on assessing writing, an accessible and systematic description of the different proficiency levels in second language writing, a comprehensive and coherent basis for validating tests of writing. This volume is a rich source of information on all aspects of examining writing ability. As such, it will be of considerable interest to examination boards who wish to validate their own writing tests in a systematic and coherent manner, as well as to academic researchers and students in the field of language assessment more generally.

Contents:

2 Test-taker characteristics 17

3 Cognitive validity 34

4 Context validity 63

5 Scoring validity 143

6 Consequential validity 218

7 Criterion-related validity 229

Appendix A Sample Writing tasks from Main Suite examinations 258

Appendix B Candidate Information Sheet 272

Appendix C Revised method of assessment for IELTS Writing 274

Appendix D Current Cambridge ESOL rating procedures and marking models 275

Appendix E Standard procedures for the production of Writing examination materials 284

Appendix F Minimum Professional Requirements for examiners of ESOL Writing tests 289

Appendix G Computer-based (CB) exam versions: Issues and directions 294

Appendix H Electronic Script Management in Cambridge ESOL: Issues and directions 300.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 315-338) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780521692939

0521692938

OCLC:

124158291

Online:

Publisher description