UNIVERSITY OF LIVINGSTONIA

LAWS CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES

English Teaching Methodology

Course Syllabus
1. Programme : Bachelor of Education (Humanities)
2. Subject : English
3. Course Title : Language Testing and Evaluation

4. Course Code : ETM 3601

5. Year of Study :3
6. Prerequisite : none
7. Duration : Sixteen weeks
8. Lecture Hours per Week : Two
9. Tutorial/Seminar Hours per Week : One
10. Practical Hours per Week : None
11. Student Independent Learning Hours: 3
12. Total Course Credit :9
13. Assessment : Continuous: 40%
Final Examination: 60%
14. Course description:
This course introduces students to theoretical foundations and principles of language testing
and assessment. A thorough understanding of this course prepares students to be able to
apply the theories and principles of language assessment and testing design to the planning,
design, use and evaluation of language assessment schemes, methods and instruments for
different purposes and contexts.
15. Aim(s) of the Course:
To equip students with competence in assessing language

16. Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, students must be able to:

a. analyse the similarities and differences among the concepts, ‘measurement’, ‘test/testing’,
‘assessment’, and ‘evaluation’
b. examine the uses of language tests, assessment and evaluation
c. assess the strengths and limitations of each of the approaches to language testing
d. critically evaluate the viability of using each of the approaches to language testing in the
Malawi secondary school English language learning and teaching context

17. Topics of the Course

a. Measurement, Test/Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation
i. Defining Characteristics
ii. Similarities and Differences
iii. Formal vs. Informal Assessment
iv. Formative vs. Summative Assessment
v. Stages of the Evaluation Process
vi. Types of Evaluation
vii. Systems of Evaluation
b. Uses of Language Tests: Why Do We Test?
c. Types of language tests
c. Approaches to Language Testing
i. Discrete-point Tests
ii. Integrative Tests
iii. Communicative Language Testing
iv. Performance-based Assessment
d. Current Issues in Language Assessment
i. New Theories of Intelligence and Implications on Language Testing
ii. Alternatives in Assessment
iii. Computer-based Testing
e. Principles of Language Assessment
i. Reliability
ii. Validity
iii. Authenticity
iv. Practicality
v. Washback
f. how to test the four language skills, grammar and literature
g. writing test items
i. grammar items
ii. composition items
iii. controlled and free items
 h. moderating language tests

i. marking schemes/guides: meaning, preparation and use of marking schemes.

j. grading and evaluating learners’ work
i. objectivity
ii. distribution of marks per question/section/sub-section etc
k. interpretation of scores:
i. categories or level of work
ii. meaning of scores and action to be taken

18. Mode of Delivery: Blended (face to face and online)

19. Method of teaching: Lectures, tutorials, group work, oral presentations, and reading
assignments

20. Prescribed texts

Brown, H. Douglas. (2004). Language assessment: Principles and classroom practices.
White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

21. Recommended texts

Heaton, J.B. (1985). Writing English Language tests. Singapore: Longman)
Moore, K. D., & Hansen, J. (2012). Effective strategies for teaching in K-8 classrooms.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Mousavi, S. A. (2002). An encyclopedic dictionary of language testing (3rd ed.). Taipei:
Tung Hua Book Company
ASSIGNMENTS
- Using your knowledge of various approaches to language testing, analyse the current
English examinations formats used by the Malawi National Examinations Board at junior
as well as senior levels. In your analysis, clearly explain the most and least popular
approaches used outlining their weaknesses and strengths and recommendation as to how
the current approaches being used can be improved in order to enhance testing students in
all the four language skills.
Length: 6 pages
Font: Times New Roman, 12
Spacing: 1.5
References: minimum of six reflected in the essay
Due Date: 28 th February 2023

- Group Assignment - Based on the approaches to language testing and measurement,

prepare standard senior level examination papers and marking schemes that would be
used to test different language skills. In your write-up indicate steps that you would
follow when moderating the examinations.
Due Date: 8th March 2023

- Group presentations : in your respective groups discuss how each of the following
approaches to language testing can be used to teach English in a typical Malawian
Secondary school and prepare a power point presentation. In your presentation, focus on
the following:
 Background and basis of the approach
 Basic principles and their implications on language testing
 Factors to considers when using the approach
 Applicability of the approach – highlighting possible strengths and weaknesses
 Possible solutions to the challenges

TASKS
 GROUP TASK REMARKS

1 DISCRETE

2 INTERGRATIVE APPROACH

3 COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TESTING

4 PERFORMANCE BASED LANGUAGE

TESTING

5 NEW THEORIES OF INTELLIGENCE

6 COMPUTER BASED TESTING

7 ALTERNATIVES IN ASSESSMENT

8 MODERATING LANGUAGE TESTS

Each group will be expected to submit a write up before presentations. Marks will be
awarded individually based on mastery of content, clarity of expression, presentability
(dressing and confidence) and ability to respond to questions eloquently.