CHAPTER 1

TEACHING & TESTING

How do tests make
you feel?
 Relationship
Teaching – Testing ???

teaching

testing
testing Partnership

teaching
 Relationship
Testing – Teaching
effect
teaching
testing on
+ Backwash
learning

beneficial

harmful
 Discussion
What do you think the backwash effect of
the National test is? Harmful or beneficial?
 Harmful backwash
A test regarded as important ->
preparation can dominate all
teaching and learning activities
The test content and testing
techniques are at variance with ><
the objectives of the course
 Beneficial backwash
Testing helps students learning English.
• Helps students create positive attitudes
toward the class.
• Helps students master the language.
Testing helps teachers of English.
• “Have I been effective in my teaching?”
• “Are my lessons on the right level?”
• “What areas do we need more work on?”
 Discussion
Think of tests with which you are familiar
(the tests may be international or local,
written by professionals or by teachers).
What do you think the backwash effect
of each them is? Harmful or beneficial?
What are your reasons for coming to
these conclusions?
 Harmful
backwash

Mistrust
of tests
Inaccurate
tests
 Mistrust of tests

Fail to measure Sts’ true abilities

accurately what are not always
they are intended reflected in the
to measure test scores
Causes of inaccuracy

Test content & Lack of

test techniques reliability

Interaction b/w Sts &

Scoring
features of the test

unclear instructions,
ambiguous questions or items
 Discussion
Think of tests with which you are familiar
(the tests may be international or local,
written by professionals or by teachers).
Do you think that they give accurate or
inaccurate information?
What are your reasons for coming to
these conclusions?
Testing, assessment, evaluation
Assessm Formative Summative
ent
Time During the semester, At the end of
course the semester..
Purpose • Check on the progress Measure
of the Sts what has
• See how far the Sts been
have mastered what achieved
they should have both by
learned groups and
• Use this information to by individuals
modify future teaching
plans
Method Informal tests, Quizzes Final exams
Portfolios Proficiency
 Discussion
Give an example of a formative /
summative assessment. Explain it.
THE END