Other Information

This module will raise your awareness of key principles in language evaluation. You will look at the full range of formative and summative purposes of testing and assessment in language education and apply them to test design, construction and evaluation, being able to critically evaluate institutional, national and international language examinations. You will create specifically designed tests for relevant institutional contexts and familiarise yourself with new perspectives in testing and assessment. Finally, you will develop pathways into TEA research. This module carries 30 credits.

Course details
This course will cover some or all of the following aspects:
•    Key issues in evaluation in language education
•    Principles of language test design and construction
•    Historical and current perspectives on language testing and assessment
•    Testing and assessment in the context of communicative approaches
•    Key aspects of validity and reliability
•    Practical issues in test design and construction
•    Quantitative issues: item analysis and test analysis
•    Testing and assessing grammar and vocabulary
•    Testing and assessing communicative skills
•    Critical review of test types and assessment procedures
•    New trends in language assessment
This course will extend the participants' understanding and critical awareness of:
•    The key principles of evaluation in language education
•    The full range of formative and summative purposes of testing and assessment in language education
•    How to apply the key principles of language test design, construction and evaluation, including developing detailed specifications
•    How to create tests designed specifically for relevant institutional contexts
•    New perspectives in testing and assessment, including a variety of ‘authentic’/’alternative’ assessment procedures, including self-assessment, peer assessment and portfolio assessment
•    How to evaluate institutional, national and international language examinations
•    How to use basic item analysis and test analysis
•    How to develop possible pathways into research in ‘TEA’
 

Assessment
A portfolio (50%) containing TWO out of the following three options:
1.    A critical review of a test or exam of significance in the candidate’s professional context.
2.    An INSET session or sessions for a group of colleagues, dealing with an aspect of TEA covered during the course and of relevance to their needs.
3.    A test or assessment procedure designed to meet a significant need in the candidate’s workplace  
A main assignment of around 3,000 words (50%), developing further an area covered in the course which is of particular interest to the participant and/or of special relevance to the participant's workplace/professional context.

Who should apply
•    You should ideally have a degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, plus language teaching experience and the level of English needed for successful completion of a course of study at postgraduate level. You may also be considered if you have extensive language teaching experience but few or no formal qualifications
•    Completion of the Core Module (although in exceptional circumstances a student might be permitted to study for this module prior to the Core Module)

How to apply
In order to take an MA module, you need to enrol for the MA programme. This does not commit you to taking the entire qualification, and you can pay for each module as you apply for it. Please note that it is usual to start with the core module but do contact the Registrar for advice if necessary.
•    Complete the online application process for the NILE postgraduate program (you will need to include a copy of your CV with your application)
•    The Registrar will then contact you in order to obtain evidence of your qualifications, details of your referees and proof of your English language level (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC etc.)
•    Your application will then be forwarded to the Academic Director for approval
Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to make your first payment online. Once we have received notification of this payment, the Registrar will send you confirmation of your module enrolment, pre-course information and accommodation details, if required.