Diagnosing Foreign Language Proficiency: The Interface Between Learning and Assessment

In an effort to start a debate about how diagnostic testing of foreign language proficiency might most appropriately be developed, Alderson (linguistics and English language education, Lancaster U., UK) describes attempts to develop computer-based diagnostic tests through a European Union-funded project known as DIALANG. The author describes and exemplifies the diagnostic system developed in the project and explores the empirical results to date; examines how proficiency has been diagnosed in reading, listening, writing, grammar, and vocabulary; discusses the value of self-assessment; and offers recommendations for future developments in the field. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR