10 After talking about UN, the next sub-point reviews the theories about
English language testing. In reviewing the theories, this research uses language testing theories by Brown 2004. Besides, this research involves other experts in
order to support Brown’s theories. To be more precise, the review is in the next sub-point.
3. English Language Testing
According to Brown 2004, pp. 3-4, a test is a method of measuring an individual
’s ability, knowledge or performance in a given domain. It means that a test represents how good someone’s ability, knowledge or performance in a
particular subject. For example, English is one of the subjects which are tested. English language tests measure
test takers’ abilities to perform English language skills, which are to read, listen, write or speak Brown, 2004, p. 3. Besides, an
English language tests measure test takers’ English language knowledge about
vocabulary items, grammatical rules, and rhetorical features in written discourse Brown, 2004, p. 3. Thus, English language tests
measures test takers’ English language abilities, knowledge or performances.
According to Brown 2004, p. 185, reading is a process of conveying meanings from the written words in order to gain information. Brown states,
“The written word continues in its function to convey information, to assume and
entertain us, to codify our social, economic and legal conventions…” 2004, p. 185. Moreover, there are four types of reading based on the tasks given namely
perceptive, selective, interactive and extensive reading Brown, 2004, p. 189.
11
a. Perceptive Reading
According to Brown 2004, p. 189, perceptive reading is an assessment for students who are at the beginning level of reading a second language. The
tasks of perceptive reading imply that the students are in the early stages of becoming
“literate.” Therefore, perceptive reading is one of the reading test levels which focus on the components of larger stretches of discourse: letters, words,
punctuation, and other graphemic symbols Brown, 2004, p. 189. The assessment which represents perceptive reading are reading aloud, picture-cued items and
written response Brown, 2004, p. 189.
b. Selective Reading
According to Brown 2004, p. 189, selective reading is one of reading test levels which focuses on the form of a language. It ascertains the
test takers’ recognition of lexicons and grammatical rules of language within a very short
stretch of language Brown, 2004, p. 189. For examples, the preposition during has two meanings. First, the preposition during represents the meaning of a period
time as in the sentence They work during the night and sleep by day. Second, it represents the meaning of several times in a period as in the sentence I woke up
several times during the night “During”. Another example is the English
vocabulary room. It means a part of the inside of a building that is separated from other parts
by walls, floor and ceiling “Room”. Other English vocabulary items which may be tested are forward, support,
nice and careful. The word forward means coming to the front “Forward”. The
word Support means giving encouragement to someone or something because you
