컴퓨터 기저 영어 평가 테스트의 국내ㆍ외 연구 동향과 수행형 초등영어 CALT 듣기 평가도구 개발 방향의 제시

An Overview of Computer-assisted English Testing Research and Suggestions for Developing a Performance-based Computer Adaptive English Listening Test for Elementary School Students

The digital technology has made an unprecedented impact on foreign language education over last several decades. These can be categorized as two kinds of development which have entered foreign language classroom: intranet/internet-based English education and computer-assisted English testing. In recent years foreign language instructors began to use CD-ROM titles as well as internet programs as supplements to their existing teaching materials in order to improve instructional efficiency of foreign language. More and more foreign language instructors have become aware of the importance of computer-assisted language testing which will save them time and energy, when they use it properly. This paper purports to overview current research on computer-assisted language testing and suggest specific procedures that are needed to develop a performance-based English testing program for elementary school students. The paper consists of the following six sections. In the first section, the paper will address the reason why computer-assisted English testing need to be developed. In the second section, the paper will introduce several testing related terminologies such as CBT, CAT/CALT, WBT, and WAT and define each. The third and fourth section of the paper will be dedicated to summarizing recent computer testing research which were conducted by Korean and overseas researchers, respectively. In the fifth section, the paper will explain the specific procedures that are needed to develop a performance-based English testing program for Korean elementary school children. These include items bank construction, calibration of proficiency guidelines, and sample items. The paper will conclude by calling for a necessity to develop a full scaled computer-adaptive testing program which can be used to measure Korean elementary school children's English proficiency.