TESL Canada Journal, Volume 21, Issue 2, 2004

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Selecting and Using Computer-Based Language Tests (CBLTs) to Assess Language Proficiency: Guidelines for Educators

Kim MacDonald, Jean Nielsen, Lisa Lai

Abstract


With the growing demand for and use of computer-based language tests (CBLTs) comes the need for clear guidelines to help educators as they attempt to select appropriate tests to assess their students with respect to their second- and foreign-language (L2/FL) teaching-learning goals. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines to educators who are seeking appropriate CBLTs to assess language proficiency in the classroom. We being with an introduction that includes a brief word about our intended audience, our rationale for creating this set of guidelines, and the development procedure used. We continue with a discussion of some relevant assessment criteria and conclude with a few summary remarks. Finally, we present a 'CBLT Selection and Use: Guidelines Summary Table' composed of questions to ask and an accompanying checklist.

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ISSN: 0826-435X

TESL Canada Journal is indexed in CBCA Education (Canadian Education Index), EBSCO, ERIC, The Gale Group, and H.W. Wilson.