#testing #language Communicative Language Testing

Summary

This lecture introduces Communicative Language Testing (CLT), focusing on measuring language use in real-life situations. Unlike traditional tests that separate skills, CLT integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing to assess real-world communication. It emphasizes context-specific tasks tailored to various professions, ensuring authenticity in testing. The lecture explains task formats like information gaps and role plays, which simulate real-life scenarios, helping test-takers communicate effectively. The goal of CLT is to evaluate not just accuracy but also appropriateness in responses, preparing individuals for real-life language demands in their jobs.

Takeaways

• 😀 CLT focuses on assessing real-life communication abilities rather than isolated language elements.
• 😀 CLT measures integrated skills, such as listening and speaking, or reading and writing, as they are often used together in real-world situations.
• 😀 Traditional tests focused on discrete skills like grammar and pronunciation, while CLT evaluates how well individuals can communicate in real-life contexts.
• 😀 The key goal of CLT is to assess the test-taker's ability to carry out communicative acts in their real-life activities.
• 😀 Appropriateness of responses in real-life situations is considered equally important as accuracy when assessing productive skills (speaking/writing).
• 😀 Receptive skills (reading/listening) are tested by measuring understanding and the correct actions or responses based on real-life scenarios.
• 😀 CLT tasks are context-specific, meaning they vary depending on the real-life job or profession of the test-taker (e.g., secretary, pilot, teacher).
• 😀 Authenticity in testing is crucial, as the test should simulate real-life situations and demand the use of language relevant to the test-taker's occupation.
• 😀 Information gap tasks require two or more test-takers to communicate and exchange information, bridging gaps in their knowledge.
• 😀 Role play tasks, in contrast, require test-takers to take on different roles, communicating in scenarios where all participants have the same information.
• 😀 To prepare students for CLT, they need training specific to their real-life communication context (e.g., pilots learning aviation language).

Q & A

What is Communicative Language Testing (CLT)?

Communicative Language Testing (CLT) is a language testing approach that focuses on assessing a learner’s ability to use language in real-life contexts, rather than testing isolated language skills like grammar and pronunciation.

How does CLT differ from traditional language testing methods?

Traditional language tests focused on discrete elements of language such as grammar and pronunciation, often testing these skills in isolation. In contrast, CLT integrates these skills and focuses on the ability to communicate effectively in real-life scenarios.

What does 'discrete' mean in the context of traditional language testing?

'Discrete' in this context refers to separating language skills like grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing and testing them individually, rather than as a cohesive, integrated whole.

Why is 'real life' communication a key focus in CLT?

The focus on 'real life' communication in CLT ensures that language tests assess the learner's ability to perform tasks that are directly applicable to everyday situations, such as those encountered in their job or daily activities.

What are integrated skills in CLT, and how are they tested?

Integrated skills refer to combining multiple language skills like listening and speaking or reading and writing, as they occur in real-life tasks. CLT tests require learners to demonstrate their ability to use these skills together in context-specific situations.

What role does 'appropriateness' play in CLT testing?

Appropriateness in CLT refers to using language that is suitable for the situation, context, and audience. In addition to accuracy, CLT tests place importance on whether the language used by the learner fits the communicative context.

What is an example of an 'information gap' task in CLT?

An example of an information gap task is when one test-taker knows a list of destinations, and another knows transportation options. They must communicate to share their knowledge and complete the task, bridging the information gap through conversation.

How does role play differ from an information gap task in CLT?

In role play, all participants know the same information but must assume different roles (e.g., student and teacher). Unlike information gap tasks, where participants have different information to share, role play focuses on how individuals perform specific roles in a communicative context.

Why are CLT tests context-specific?

CLT tests are context-specific because the language skills required vary depending on the learner's real-life profession or activities. A test for a secretary will be different from one for a pilot or teacher, as each job requires different communicative abilities.

What is the significance of teaching specific communication skills for real-life contexts in CLT?

Teaching specific communication skills for real-life contexts ensures that learners are prepared to use language effectively in their professional or daily life scenarios. For example, pilots need to practice aviation-related terminology, while office workers may need business communication skills.