초등영어 평가 도구 사례 분석과 능력 기준표 비교

Analysis of a test for primary school English learners and level descriptions

  This study is aimed at reporting the results of item analysis on a English test for Korean primary school students thus contributing to improvement of the English tests for primary school students. To achieve this goal, LATT Junior Test has been examined to see 1) if it is to evaluate students" English proficiency based on the Bachman and Palmer"s (1996) language component constructs, and 2) if items are appropriate as standard testing items in terms of item difficulty, discrimination, and reliability based on Item Response Theory (IRT), which would help to appreciate English proficiency of current primary school students. The result of analysis is as follows. First, based on the Bachman and Palmer"s language component constructs, the test has turned out it has more questions to test pragmatic knowledge than ones to test organizational knowledge. Second, the test has acquired a good mark in reliability. Cronbach a reached .812, which means the LAlT Junior Test is a reliable test after all. For further analysis, it was attempted to compare level descriptions of the test with those of Common European Framework (CEF) and ACTFL. A1 and A2 in CEF or Novice in ACTFL can be regarded as the standard level of primary school students in Korea. It is recommended that the main objective of an English proficiency test should reflect a diagnostic purpose. In addition, assessing speaking and writing skills should be included in an English proficiency test.