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Testing Pronunciation: An Application of Generalizability Theory *
Author(s) -
Weeren J.,
Theunissen T. J. J. M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
language learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.882
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1467-9922
pISSN - 0023-8333
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-1770.1968.tb01314.x
Subject(s) - generalizability theory , pronunciation , psychology , reliability (semiconductor) , think aloud protocol , cognitive psychology , quality (philosophy) , linguistics , theoretical linguistics , test theory , test (biology) , validity , natural language processing , computer science , psychometrics , epistemology , developmental psychology , philosophy , paleontology , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , usability , human–computer interaction , biology
Pronunciation is regarded as a valuable subskill in foreign language teaching and testing. Its quality is commonly assessed in a global way by having testees read aloud. A more systematic and explicit approach to evaluation is proposed. The reliability of this so‐called “atomistic” approach is compared with the reliability of a traditional “holistic” procedure. Generalizability theory was applied in order to comprise all relevant factors in one psychometric model. Decision studies were carried out to counter the effects of the number of raters and test length.