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Special Issues

Special Report No 1

Alderson, J C (1987) Innovation in language testing: can the micro-computer help? LTU Special Report No 1. Lancaster: Centre for Research in Language Education, Lancaster University.

Abstract

This report is the culmination of a programme of research into CBELT (computer-based English language testing) which was funded by the British Council and carried out at the Institute for English Language Education, Lancaster University . Begun in 1985, the research was intended to explore what possibilities might exist or could be created for inexpensive and popular micro-computers to contribute to developments in language testing. In addition, the research tried to see to what extent existing practice in CBELT could be improved by actively seeking to innovate on computers.

Special Report No 2

Baker, R (1997) Classical test theory and item response theory in test analysis, LTU Special Report No 2. Lancaster: Centre for Research in Language Education, Lancaster University.

Abstract

This LTU Special Report consists of extracts from a doctoral thesis entitled An Investigation of the Rasch Model in its Application to Foreign Language Proficiency Testing, written by Rosemary Baker at the University of Edinburgh in 1987.

At the time the thesis was written, Item Response Theory (IRT) had only recently been introduced into the field of language testing. In 1985, both the British Council in London and the Educational Testing Service in Princeton organised introdutory seminars on IRT for language testing specialists.

Now, ten years later, reported applications of IRT in the language testing literature have become commonplace. Although the assumption of familiarity on the part of the audience is now undoubtedly better justified, there remains a need for detailed background explanation which would be helpful to those new to the field, or those who are new to IRT-based analysis. It is hoped that these extracts, which focus on the relationship between classical test theory and Item Response Theory, on the much-discussed assumptions required by IRT, and on the Rasch model for dichotomously-scored items, will provide such an explanation.

ILTA Language Testing Bibliography 1990 - 1999

Banerjee, J., Clapham, C., Clapham, P. and Wall, D. (1999) ILTA Language Testing Bibliography 1990 - 1999. Lancaster: Centre for Research in Language Education, Lancaster University.

Abstract

Originally published as an LTU special issue, this collection of references to published works (1990 - 1999) is now being incorporated into the new ILTA Language Testing Bibliography, which will be available on the ILTA web pages in late summer 2008.