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vocabulary tests
by
John Read
Introduction
Review various considerations that influence the
design of discrete vocabulary tests
These are tests that measure vocabulary as a
construct separate from other aspect of language
ability
Discrete tests focus on vocabulary knowledge:
whether the test-takers know the meaning or use
of a selected set of content words in the target
language
Test purpose
a test is valid to the extent that we are justified in
drawing conclusions from its results
Three uses of language tests: for research, making
decisions about learners and making decisions about
language programmes
Second language vocabulary researchers have needed
assessment instruments for studies on:
How broad and deep learners vocabulary knowledge is
How effective different methods of systematic
vocabulary learning are
How incidental learning occurs through reading and
listening activities
Test purpose
Whether and how learners can infer the meanings of
unknown words encountered in context
How learners deal with gaps in their vocabulary knowledge
Assessing proficiency:
Placement Test Battery to estimate how many highfrequency words the learners already know
A progress test: assesses how well students have learned
the words presented in the units they have recently
studied in the coursebook
Achievement test: how well the learners have mastered a
vocabulary skill that they have been taught
Construct definition
Another important foundation for test validity is
the defining of the construct we are intending to
measure
Syllabus-based: when vocabulary assessment
takes place within a course of study
Theory-based: for research purposes and in
proficiency testing
Presentation of words
Present in isolation or in context?
Words in isolation
in systematic vocabulary learning, students apply
memorising techniques to sets of target words and
their meanings this is effective in providing a
foundation for further development of vocabulary
knowledge in the second language
Vocabulary Levels Test: words are often presented in
isolation
Whether the learners can show an understanding of
the words when they occur without contextual support
Presentation of words
Present in isolation or in context?
Words in context
How context dependent particular vocabulary items
are?
It is pointless to present words in a context unless
the test-takers are required to engage with the
contextual information in some meaningful way in
making their response to the test task
One function of a sentence context in traditional
discrete-point items is to signal the particular
meaning or use of a high-frequency target word
Presentation of words
Present in isolation or in context?
Words in context
On the other hand: the target word is a lowfrequency word and the learners infer its meaning
on the basis of contextual clues
In recall-type tests of productive vocabulary
knowledge, a sentence context is one means of
eliciting the word (fill in the blanks)
Practical examples
Matching items
Comprehension items
Sentence-writing items
Generic test items
Conclusion
Different variables need to be weighed up in
order to reach the most suitable design for a
discrete vocabulary test.