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Are We Really Measuring Proficiency with Our Foreign Language Tests? *
Author(s) -
Brière Eugène J.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1944-9720.1971.tb02055.x
Subject(s) - plea , language assessment , foreign language , language proficiency , linguistics , mathematics education , psychology , test of english as a foreign language , computer science , political science , philosophy , law
Operational definitions of the differences between “achievement” and “proficiency” in foreign language performances are given. The development of different methods of teaching foreign languages and the subsequent tests related to each method are reviewed and discussed, current attempts to measure “proficiency” in foreign languages are seriously questioned as being inadequate. To eliminate some of the most glaring inadequacies in language testing, new, experimental approaches are being conducted by investigators from different disciplines. The new approaches are reviewed, the underlying rationale for each approach is discussed, and a plea is made for increased interdisciplinary experimentation in all areas of language testing.