Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ELP5063

 
TITLE Evaluating English Language Proficiency

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for English Language Proficiency

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit equips students with a solid understanding of the core theoretical and practical issues related to how the proficiency of learners of English as a second or foreign language can be assessed. By critically engaging with theoretical and empirical insights from the field of applied linguistics, students will be able to examine how English language proficiency can be assessed in a valid, reliable and practical manner. This study-unit provides students with an opportunity to explore the assessment of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and receptive and productive skills. Students will be encouraged to apply this knowledge to a variety of TESOL contexts, materials and learners.

Study-unit Aims:

- To provide students with an understanding of the key theoretical and practical issues related to the assessment of English language proficiency;
- To enable students to describe measures that facilitate the valid, reliable and practical assessment of English language proficiency;
- To enable students to apply theoretical and empirical insights from applied linguistics to describe the issues that specifically concern the assessment of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and receptive and productive skills; and
- To guide students to apply their knowledge of how English language proficiency can be evaluated to a variety of TESOL contexts, materials and learners.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify the key theoretical and practical issues in relation to the assessment of English language proficiency;
- Describe measures that facilitate the valid, reliable and practical assessment of English language proficiency;
- Describe the issues that specifically concern the assessment of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and receptive and productive skills from an applied linguistics perspective.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Analyse and critique applied linguistics theory and research related to the assessment of English language proficiency;
- Compare and contrast different theories, methods and approaches;
- Apply their knowledge of theoretical and practical issues to a variety of TESOL contexts, materials and learners;
- Write critically and engagingly about theoretical and practical issues related to the evaluation of English language proficiency;
- Present their views through an informed process in oral form;
- Design testing material to be evaluated by their peers.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Green, A. (2021). Exploring language assessment and testing: Language in action (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Fulcher, G., & Harding, L. (Eds.). (2021). The Routledge handbook of language testing (2nd ed.). Routledge.
- Shohamy, E., Or, I. G., & May, S. (Eds.). (2017). Language testing and assessment (3rd ed.). Springer.

Note: All texts are/will be available through the library or as part of the lecturer's resources. Students will be given a comprehensive study pack at the start of the study-unit.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (15 Minutes) SEM1 No 25%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 75%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit