The document discusses fundamental issues in language testing including determining the context and purpose of language tests, defining the language abilities being measured, and ensuring the quality of test scores and interpretations. It identifies practical questions about test design and more complex issues regarding reliability, validity, and result interpretation. The nature of language testing is complex, and tests must be designed based on a clear understanding of their intended use and target language constructs.

1. Issues and
Concerns in
Language
Testing and
Backwash

2. Practical
Questions
What type of test should
we use?
How long should the test
be?
How many tests do we need to
develop?
1
2
3

3. Complex
Questions
How reliable should our
test be?
Are our test scores valid for
this use?
How can we best interpret the
results of our test?
1
2
3

4. Bachman identifies some
fundamental issues
1 2 3
the context
determining
the use of
language tests
the nature of
the language
abilities we
want to
measure
the nature of
the
measurement
itself

5. • The context determining the
use of language tests
• Designing a language test is complex
• Purpose

6. 2. The nature of the language
abilities we want to measure
• Clear definition of language
abilities
• Authentic Language Test

7. 3. The nature of the measurement
itself
• Quality of test scores- free from
errors
• Quality of test interpretation and
use

8. Thank you for listening!
Sources:
https://eclass.uoa.gr/modules/document/file.php/
ENL286/Testing%20books/Fundamental%20consid
erations%20in%20langugae%20testing.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325145
107_Fundamental_Considerations_in_Language_T
esting_in_Focus_on_English

9. Thank you for listening!
Sources:
https://books.openedition.org/uop/1563?lang=en
https://academic.oup.com/eltj/article-
abstract/XIV/4/153/525059?redirectedFrom=PDF