Students
APPL8240 – Language Testing and Evaluation
2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final test | 25% | No | Week 13 |
| 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 |
| Active participation | 5% | No | Week 13 |
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
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
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
The delivery of this unit is by on-campus seminars for internally enrolled students. The sessions are interactive seminars. Students are expected to have read the set readings and to actively participate in class. Students are also expected to do independent research using academic sources.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
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