Testing Spoken Language: A Handbook of Oral Testing Techniques

Cambridge Handbooks for Language Teachers

by Nic Underhill

This is a practical guide to designing and using oral tests of language ability. It is for teachers, testers, course designers and educational planners. The organisation follows the sequence of stages in which a new testing programme would logically be carried out. It takes the reader through the testing process, giving practical examples and discussing the issues involved at each stage. Testing Spoken Language removes testing from the realm of the specialist and presents it as an integral part of a language learning programme. It describes the range of test-types and discusses their suitability for different aims and resources; lists over fifty oral test techniques and variations, with comments on each; integrates the marking system into the process of test design; and provides suggestions for monitoring and improving a test once it is in use.

Genres: Language

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 1987

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't do what it says.

While the 40-50 pages of elicitation techniques that make up the bulk of the book would make for wonderful classroom tasks, they're clearly not often useful in a real testing situation. It's as if the author downed 10 coffees and brainstormed a boatload of activities. Of course some are no doubt practical (and used in popular exams).

The final chapters on marking systems and test evaluation were disappointingly brief.

It's worth the read and time figuring out how to use these activities in class and generating ideas for more interesting midterms and finals.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer read - I'm finished, finally!!!

[Arruk Chailark]

good