The Equivalence of Direct and Semi-direct Speaking Tests (Studies in Language Testing)

the long version

"This book documents a comparability study of direct (face-to-face) and semi-direct (language laboratory) versions of the speaking component of the access: test, an English language test designed in the 1990s as part of the selection process for immigration to Australia. The two versions of the speaking module were developed by the Language Testing Research Centre at the University of Melbourne." "In the study, the issue of test equivalence is explored using a range of quantitative and qualitative evidence including test scores, test taker language output and feedback from various 'players' in the test process including members of the development team, test candidates, interviewers and raters. This multi-layered approach yields a complex and richly textured perspective on the comparability of the two kinds of speaking tests. The findings have important implications for the use of direct and semi-direct speaking tests in various high-stakes contexts such as immigration and university entrance. As such the book will be of interest to policy-makers and administrators as well as language teachers and language testing researchers."--Jacket.