This document discusses key concepts and principles of language assessment. It defines important terminology like evaluation, test, measurement, formative and summative assessment. It also outlines different types of assessments like achievement tests, aptitude tests, diagnostic tests, and placement tests. The document then discusses five principles of effective language assessment according to Brown: practicality, reliability, validity, authenticity, and washback effect. It provides details on what each principle entails and how they contribute to an effective evaluation.

1. Principles of language
assessment
Assessment terminology
Student: Natalia Montalván Inga
Subject: Assessment and evaluation
NRC: 18234

2. Formal and informal assessment
03
1. Assessment terminology
Assessment and testing
Evaluation: process for assessing student development,
measuring student responses, actions, performance and
behavior.
Test: method of evaluation, includes a set of techniques,
procedures or items managed by the teacher that measure
the development of skills or competencies.
.
01 Measurement and evaluation
02
Summative and formative assessment
04
Measurement: Quantifies individual achievements
Evaluation: Interpreting data from information to make
judgments or decisions.
Informal: measures progress without grading criteria,
collects information on performance, skills or knowledge,
and identifies difficulties and challenges faced by
students.
Formal: objectively checks students' development,
performance, skills, knowledge..
Formative Evaluation: it is performed during the learning
process, the main objective is to identify weaknesses and
strengths providing students to manage their self-regulation
skills.
Summative: It is performed at the end of a learning period, it
provides a grade or score to pass a course.
to pass a course or level..

3. 2. Types and purposes of assessment
measures the ability of
students within a lesson,
unit or entire program. It can
be formative or summative
Achievement test
Evaluation
Despite being red, Mars is a
cold place
Aptitude tests
It is performed at the beginning of
a program to determine which
skills should be developed and
included.
Diagnostic tests
places the student at the
correct level correct level of
the program or curriculum.
Placement test
measures the specific skills and
knowledge that individuals have
acquired in a particular area.
Proficiency Test

4. 3. Principles of language assessment
According to Brown (2004)
there are five fundamental
criteria for testing a test:
practicality, reliability,
validity, authenticity and
washback.

5. Practicality
According to Brown and Douglas it is
an administrative Process involved in
the evaluation of an instrument. Main
qualities of a practical test:
● It does not surpass the budget limits
● It is taken within the given time
● It has clear instructions
● It used human and material
resources appropriately

6. Reliability
Degree to which an instrument produces consistent test
results.
Learner-Related reliability: the test-taker suffers from
physical or psychological factors. These factors interfere
on the final test results
Inter-rater reliability: two or more scorers agree on the
test results.
Test administration reliability: It deals with the
conditions of test administration.
Test reliability: Brown and Douglas say that test
reliability occurs when the test cause measurement
errors.

7. Validity
measurement of all
important sections of
the subject or content.
Content-related
validity
Relationship between a
measure and a standard
(an external criterion).
Criterion-related
validity
determines if a test assesses
what it is supposed to. The
test has to be constructed to
measure the content of a
course.
Construct-related
validity
Implies measuring what is supposed to be measured

8. Authenticity
Is designed to apply knowledge
in new situations focusing on
real-world life events.
1. It influences the way a teacher
teaches.
2. It has a large effect of testing on
teaching and learning.
3. Students have the opportunity to
know the format of the test
beforehand.
Washback effect

9. Bibliography
• Brown D. (2010). Language Assessment Principles and classroom
practices. Second edition. The USA. Pearson Education.
• Harris, M. & McCann, P. (1994). Assessment. First edition. Scotland.
Heinemann English Language teaching
• Burden, P. & Byrd, D. (2013). Methods for effective teaching. Sixth
edition. The USA. Pearson education.
• Hughes, A. (2003). Testing for language teachers. Second edition.
The UK. Cambridge University press.
• Madsen, H. (1983). Techniques in testing. First edition. The USA.
Oxford university press.