A BRIEF HISTORY OF LANGUAGE TESTING

By Marula
  • 581

    THE EARLIEST OF TESTS: Formal testing started. Keju or Imperial Examination. Military officers classified by ranks.

  • Mar 22, 1501

    THE TEST GOES WEST: Testing came to France and Prussia. Goverment Britain elite.

  • Period: to

    THE FORMALIZATION OF TESTING: French and Germans-selection of skillful people.

  • THE FORMALIZATION OF TESTING: Britain 19th century: People selected based on their aptitude.

  • Period: to

    COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS: Oxford University Comission: Introduction of examination (education system). Northcote-Trevelyan Report to Parliament.

  • MASS EDUCATION - MASS ASSESSMENT: Britain and the U.S.

  • THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE LANGUAGE TESTING INDUSTRY: Modern English language testing.

  • Thorndike proposed the 1st standardized test based on a scale.

  • EARLY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Assessment based on students' written ability. Thorndike (1911,1912), Hillegas (1912), Courtis (1914).

  • Hillegas (1912): Written composition standardized scale

  • EARLY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: The beginning of the Cambridge Proficiency Examination (CPE) in the UK to select language ability to get into British education system.

  • Modern Languages Association of Maryland's Committee states learning environemnt in the curriculum and not tests.: Objective testing.

  • Courtis: consolidation of English test and students profile

  • Kelly multiple choice question (MCQ) format

  • Handschin: New approach

  • THE POST-WWII YEARS: Testing Adjustment in the US to Multiple choice format

  • TOEFL:English for specific purposes.

  • THE GROWING INDUSTRY: Cambridge ESOL-first certificate in English. and The Test of english for International Communication (TOEIC): Business purpose.

  • The UK: Tests of languages for specific purposes-English Language Testing Service (ELTS), then(IELTS): Life Sciences, Social Studies, Physical Sciences, Technology, Medicine, productive and receptive skills

  • Three modules: Physical, Science and Technology, Life and Medical Sciences, Business Studies and Social Sciences- four skills.

  • CHANGE IN THE AIR: Bachman incorporated to language testing worldwide the US assessment basis

  • IELTS becomes a more general test of proficiency.

  • TOEFL's developers explore European-type formats. TOEFL iBT(Internet-based TOEFL) emerges

  • LANGUAGE TESTING TODAY: Local examinations