Arthur Hughes' Testing for Language Teachers: A Must-Read Book for Language Teachers and Testers (PDF Download)
Arthur Hughes Testing for Language Teachers PDF Download
Are you looking for a comprehensive and practical guide to language testing? Do you want to learn how to design, administer, and evaluate language tests for different purposes and contexts? If yes, then you might be interested in Testing for Language Teachers by Arthur Hughes. This book is one of the most popular and influential books on language testing, and it has been widely used by teachers, students, researchers, and test developers around the world. In this article, we will introduce you to the main features of this book, and show you how to get a PDF download of it.
Arthur Hughes Testing For Language Teachers Pdf Download
Introduction
What is Testing for Language Teachers?
Testing for Language Teachers is a book written by Arthur Hughes, who was a professor of applied linguistics at the University of Reading, UK. The book was first published in 1989 by Cambridge University Press, and it has been revised and updated several times since then. The latest edition was published in 2002.
The book aims to provide an accessible introduction to the concepts and principles of language testing, as well as practical guidance on how to develop and use language tests in various situations. The book covers both theoretical and practical aspects of language testing, such as test validity, reliability, backwash, test techniques, test construction, test administration, test analysis, and more. The book also includes examples of different types of language tests, such as tests of writing, speaking, reading, listening, grammar, vocabulary, overall ability, and young learners.
The book is intended for anyone who is involved or interested in language testing, such as language teachers, teacher trainers, test developers, test users, researchers, students, or policy makers. The book assumes some basic knowledge of linguistics and statistics, but it does not require any specialized background or expertise in language testing.
Why is Testing for Language Teachers important?
Testing for Language Teachers is important because it helps language teachers to understand the role and function of language testing in language teaching and learning. Language testing is not only a way of measuring learners' progress and achievement, but also a way of influencing their motivation, attitude, behavior, and learning outcomes. Therefore, language teachers need to be aware of the principles and practices of language testing, so that they can use tests effectively and ethically in their classrooms.
Testing for Language Teachers also helps language teachers to develop their own language tests that suit their specific needs and contexts. Language teachers often face challenges when they have to use standardized tests that are not appropriate or relevant for their learners or curriculum. By learning how to design their own tests based on sound criteria and procedures, language teachers can create more valid and reliable tests that reflect their teaching objectives and learners' characteristics.
Furthermore, Testing for Language Teachers helps language teachers to evaluate their own tests and those of others. Language teachers need to be able to judge the quality and usefulness of different tests that they encounter or use in their work. By learning how to apply various methods of test analysis and evaluation, language teachers can improve their own tests or select the best tests available for their purposes.
How to get Testing for Language Teachers PDF download?
If you want to get a PDF download of Testing for Language Teachers, you have several options. One option is to buy the book from the Cambridge University Press website, where you can choose either the print version or the e-book version. The e-book version is compatible with various devices and platforms, such as Kindle, Adobe Digital Editions, Google Play Books, and more. You can also access the e-book online through Cambridge Core, which is the online platform for Cambridge University Press academic books and journals.
Another option is to borrow the book from a library or a friend who has a copy of it. You can check if your local library has the book by using online catalogues or databases, such as WorldCat, Library of Congress, or Google Books. You can also ask your friends or colleagues who are interested in language testing if they have the book and if they are willing to lend it to you.
A third option is to search for a free PDF download of the book on the internet. However, this option is not recommended for several reasons. First, it may be illegal to download or share copyrighted material without permission from the author or publisher. Second, it may be unethical to use someone else's work without giving them proper credit or compensation. Third, it may be risky to download files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they may contain viruses or malware that can harm your device or data.
Main features of Testing for Language Teachers
Teaching and testing
The first chapter of the book introduces the relationship between teaching and testing, and explains how tests can affect teaching and learning in positive or negative ways. The chapter also discusses some key concepts and terms in language testing, such as test purpose, test use, test taker, test method, test task, test item, test score, and test interpretation.
Testing as problem solving
The second chapter of the book presents an overview of the main steps and issues involved in developing and using language tests. The chapter proposes a problem-solving approach to language testing, which involves identifying the problem, analyzing the problem, generating solutions, implementing solutions, and evaluating solutions. The chapter also outlines the structure and content of the rest of the book.
Kinds of tests and testing
The third chapter of the book describes different kinds of tests and testing that are commonly used in language education. The chapter distinguishes between formative and summative tests, achievement and proficiency tests, direct and indirect tests, discrete-point and integrative tests, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, objective and subjective tests, and diagnostic and placement tests. The chapter also explains how to select or combine different kinds of tests depending on the test purpose and context.
Validity and reliability
The fourth and fifth chapters of the book explain two fundamental criteria for evaluating language tests: validity and reliability. Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure, while reliability refers to the extent to which a test produces consistent results under similar conditions. The chapters discuss different types and sources of validity and reliability evidence, such as content validity, construct validity, criterion validity, face validity, internal consistency reliability, inter-rater reliability, parallel forms reliability, etc. The chapters also suggest some methods and techniques for improving validity and reliability in language testing.
Backwash and test development
The sixth and seventh chapters of the book explore two important aspects of language testing: backwash and test development. Backwash refers to the influence that a test has on teaching and learning before or after its administration. Test development refers to the process of creating a test from scratch or adapting an existing test for a specific purpose or context. The chapters explain how to achieve beneficial backwash by aligning tests with teaching objectives and learning outcomes. The chapters also explain how to follow a systematic procedure for test development that involves defining the testing situation, specifying the test construct, writing test specifications, writing and editing test items, pretesting and revising test items, preparing test materials, etc.
Common test techniques
The eighth chapter of the book reviews some common test techniques that are used to assess different language skills or systems. The chapter defines what a test technique is, and how it differs from a test method or a test task. The chapter also provides examples of various test techniques that are frequently used in language testing practice, such as multiple-choice questions (MCQs), gap-filling exercises (GFEs), matching exercises (MEs), true-false questions (TFQs), short-answer questions (SAQs), etc. The chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each technique in terms of validity, reliability, practicality, washback, etc.
Testing specific skills and systems 71b2f0854b