Testing for Language Teachers

Cambridge Language Teaching Library

by Arthur Hughes

This second edition remains the most practical guide for teachers who want to have a better understanding of the role of testing in language teaching. It has a new chapter on testing young learners and expanded chapters on common test techniques and testing overall ability.

Genres: Nonfiction, Language, Education, Teaching

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1989

Reviews

[Gizem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've learnt a lot by reading this book. Especially for a 3rd year student who's about to become an English teacher in secondary school. There is a LOT of information on how to test students and the (positive/negative) backwash effects of teaching and testing. It has cleared a bunch of things for me and made me really think about how I would test my pupils and give them work to practice on.

Most of us know that there are a lot of different ways of learning and teaching. If you want to explore several ways of teaching and learn the negative and positive effects of it, with explanation of what happens to pupils when you use a method to teach.

Definitely recommended.

[Amalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because it's a recommended book for my degree. The book is excellent for the language teacher with a TESOL background. It teaches how to make a valid test questions, how to select types of tests, how to identify a flawed test, why some tests fail to accurately produce a record of students knowledge and abilities and everything in between. This book will guide you to be a better teacher. My single regret is that I did not find this book earlier.

If you're a teacher looking for a book to help you with your test writing skills, this is a one one you should definitely check out.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually very useful reading. Testing language proficiency (whether you are an ESL or foreign language instructor) is difficult and misunderstood and most measurements of "fluency" are terribly inaccurate. Few institutions, in my experience, really bother to try to follow the principles in this book, but anyone purporting to try to teach language should.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable, practical manual for any second language teacher.

[Iryna Donchenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a great book to help you with testing and assessment, I highly recommend "Testing for Language Teachers" by Arthur Hughes.

It's a fantastic resource that covers everything you need to know about testing, including different types of tests, how to design effective tests, and how to evaluate your students' performance.

The language is easy to understand, and the examples are practical and helpful. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this book is definitely worth checking out!

[Magdalena Golden · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better books I have read for my MA in Applied Linguistics. I feel it offers just the right amount of information to introduce the different challenges language testing presents. The authors did a splendid job explaining the thought process involved in test creation, shying away from generalities in favour of introducing nuances based on different purposes for which a test might be built.

[Sajmas Urooj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though read for acedemic purposes (actually, err, a day before exam), I really enjoyed it. It gives accout of a number of tests, their aims, advantages and disadvantages, which is really helpful for every teacher who wants to take their student's learning to a next nevel. It is also provides an aid to have a deep analysis of student's capabilities, thier needs and progress.

[Bahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is a very good book

[Michelle Hayden]

This was a great book for all things Language Testing.

[Moez Lamti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every time the author fumbles the likes of "It was said that.." I cringe in stately disgust :) It's a pity that the book does not operate within the research-practice nexus. Sure, there are further reading sections apllogetically thrown at the end of each chapter, but you aften get the impression of someone commanding you in a bellow of authority: "Take this as it is; don't argue with what has been tested and proven." There is also the fact the this book is deeply anchored in nativespeakerism, so what's not to love?

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this text for a Testing class in my graduate level TESOL/Applied Linguistics program at Winston-Salem State University. There is a tremendous amount of statistical data and how to arrive at such data, and the British spelling of words can be a tad disconcerting. I find the information relevant, but very dry in its delivery.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a really helpful guide to how to write tests, especially language tests. Non-language teachers can still benefit from some sections of the book, like writing multiple choice questions (most teachers and test-writers could do better in this department).

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed full of extremely helpful strategies and techniques, one of the best books on testing I've read.

[Abeer Mohamad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sufficient Resource where I could able to thoroughly understand how Testing is related to & applied in Teaching !! Amazing !!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the testing Bible for language teachers. It should be in every school's library.

[Dominic Neesam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the first 5 chapters for DELTA Module 1

[Liyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER TEXTBOOK - DONE!! hahaha

[Momin Rahman]

nbj