Purposeful Language Assessment: Selecting the Right Alternative Test

Abstract

This paper examines Purposeful Language Assessment: Selecting the Right Alternative Test. This paper reviews literature and gives a scholarly back-ground to the paper by reviewing some contributions made by various researchers and institutions on testing in English language instruction particularly its usage in language testing. It unveils some views that people and institutions have shared globally on the assessment in English language instruction in education through surveys and other observations. The paper discusses the function of assessment, self-assessment, alternative assessment, and assessing young learners. The major conclusion of the study is that language skills are major aspect of the English language teaching, as it helps learners' understanding of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Hence, attention should be given to its teaching and consequently proper evaluation of its various items. The paper then recommends that language teachers should pay more attention to the careful construction of the test items and phrase each item clearly so that students know exactly what they are requested to do.