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APPL8240 – Language Testing and Evaluation

2022 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Agnes Bodis
Philip Chappell
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppLing or MAppLingTESOL or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL or MEd
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit covers key concepts and issues in language testing and provides students with principles and techniques for designing and evaluating language tests and assessment tasks. Functions of language tests, models of language proficiency, assessment of language skills and components, and frame of reference for interpreting test scores are among the topics discussed in this unit. The unit also focuses on other issues such as test usefulness framework and language tests in social contexts. Overall, the aim of the unit is to develop assessment literacy in current or future teachers.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • ULO2: Critically evaluate issues and challenges in assessing language skills and components
  • ULO3: Identify and communicate key features of quality assessment to a professional audience
  • ULO4: Apply quality assessment features to a language tests and assessment tasks to evaluate their usefulness
  • ULO5: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the main concepts, purposes, and procedures in language testing

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessment Task 1: Annotated bibliography 25% No Week 4
Review paper 30% No 18 Sept
Group oral presentation 15% No Weeks 10-13 as scheduled
Final test 25% No Week 13
Active participation 5% No Week 13

Assessment Task 1: Annotated bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 25%

 

Choose an issue or challenge related to a module in a language test; search the databases and prepare an annotated bibliography

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • Critically evaluate issues and challenges in assessing language skills and components
  • Apply quality assessment features to a language tests and assessment tasks to evaluate their usefulness

Review paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 18 Sept
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will change their first assessment task (annotated bibliography) into an essay.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • Critically evaluate issues and challenges in assessing language skills and components
  • Identify and communicate key features of quality assessment to a professional audience
  • Apply quality assessment features to a language tests and assessment tasks to evaluate their usefulness
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the main concepts, purposes, and procedures in language testing

Group oral presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weeks 10-13 as scheduled
Weighting: 15%

 

Students will prepare and present a group oral presentation on their chosen topics for the first assessment task

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • Critically evaluate issues and challenges in assessing language skills and components
  • Identify and communicate key features of quality assessment to a professional audience
  • Apply quality assessment features to a language tests and assessment tasks to evaluate their usefulness

Final test

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will be assessed on the content of the unit to make sure they have read the unit materials and have mastered key concepts and procedures.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the main concepts, purposes, and procedures in language testing

Active participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 5%

 

Students will take part in online activities to consolidate their learning.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key terms and concepts in language testing and assessment including a range of purposes for assessment
  • Identify and communicate key features of quality assessment to a professional audience
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the main concepts, purposes, and procedures in language testing

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Students who are enrolled in the online delivery are required to engage with unit readings and lecture tasks each week. Students are also expected to do independent research using the library resources, and to search, select and analyse texts used in ESL contexts. Face-to-face seminar recordings are available after the scheduled seminar via Echo360 and/or online students can join the scheduled seminar via a Zoom link.

Resources are available through the iLearn website for this unit. Technologies used include video, Echo360 and other online resources.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

Late submission of assignments

If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook