Language testing is always considered as a part of language learning and teaching. This paper reviews the historical trends of language testing theories and testing approaches according to Spolsky’s opinion. Due to the close relations between language testing and linguistics as well as language teaching, this review also deals with the corresponding linguistic background. In conclusion, the paper points out the connections of language testing with other disciplines, and the phenomenon of coexistence of several different testing theories and approaches.
References
[1]
Spolsky, B. (1978) Educational Linguistics: An Introduction. Newbury House Publishers, Rowley, MA.
[2]
Castagnaro, P.J. (2006) Audiolingual Method and Behaviorism: From Misunderstanding to Myth. Applied Linguistics, 3, 519-526.
https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/aml023
[3]
McNamara, T. (2003) Language Testing. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, Shanghai.
[4]
Parviz, A. and Rajab, E. (2009) A Close Look at the Relationship between Multiple Choice Vocabulary Test and Integrative Cloze Test of Lexical Words in Iranian Context. English Language Teaching, 2, 163-170.
https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v2n3p163
[5]
Oller, J. (1979) Language Tests at School: A Pragmatic Approach. Longman, London.
[6]
Harris, D.P. (1969) Testing English as a Second Language. McGraw-Hill, New York.
[7]
Chomsky, N. (1965) Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. The M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, MA. https://doi.org/10.21236/AD0616323
[8]
Hymes, D. (1972) On Communicative Competence. In: Pride, J.B. and Holmes, A., Eds., Sociolinguistics: Selected Readings, Penguin, Harmondsworth, 269-293.
[9]
Canale, M. and Swain, M. (1980) Theoretical Bases of Communicative Approaches to Second Language Teaching and Testing. Applied Linguistics, 1, 1-47.
https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/1.1.1
[10]
Bachman, L.F. (1999) Fundamental Considerations in Language Testing. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, Shanghai.
[11]
Skehan, P. (1991) Individual Differences in Second Language Learning. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 13, 275-298.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263100009979
