2.2.2 The Concept of Language Testing
Based on an explanation about language testing in Wikipedia, Language Testing is a field of study under the umbrella of applied linguistics. Its main focus
is the assessment of first, second or other language in the school, college, or university context; assessment of language use in the workplace; and assessment
of language in the immigration, citizenship, and asylum contexts. The assessment may include listening, speaking, reading, writing or cultural understanding. Equal
weight age may be placed on knowledge understanding how the language works theoretically and proficiency ability to use the language practically, or greater
weight age may be given to one aspect or the other.
2.2.3 Types of Language Testing
According to Brown 2004: 43-47, there are some types of language Tests as the following:
1. Aptitude Test
The aptitude test is conceived as a prognostic measure that indicates whether a student is likely to learn second language readily or not. It is generally given
before the student begins language study, and may be used to select students for a language course or to place students in sections appropriate to their ability.
2. Proficiency Test
A proficiency test is not limited to any one course, curriculum, or single skill in the language; rather it tests overall ability. It has traditionally consisted of
standardized multiple-choice
items on
grammar, vocabulary,
reading comprehension, and aural comprehension.
3. Placement test
The main purpose of placement test is to place a student into a particular level or section of a language curriculum of school. A placement test usually, but not
always, includes a sampling of the material to be covered in the various courses in a curriculum.
4. Diagnostic Test
A diagnostic test is designed to diagnose specified aspects of a language. A test in pronunciation, for example, might diagnose the phonological features of
English that are difficult for learners and should therefore become part of a curriculum.
5. Achievement Test
Achievement test is designed to measure how much the student has learned in the course of second language instruction. However, achievement test usually not
built around one set of teaching materials but are designed for use with students from a variety of different schools and programs.
Brown 2004: 6 divides language assessment in five types based on their usage and aims. There are aptitude test which is indicate whether the student is
likely to learn second language readily or not, proficiency test which is test overall ability, placement test that has main purpose to place student into a particular
level of school, diagnostic test designed to diagnose the specified aspects of language, and the last is achievement test which is designed to measure how much
the students learned second language instruction. The types of language assessement here is achievement test. The writer
wants to try out the application of computerized test in achievement test. And the writer wants to know the student’s and the teacher perception toward
computerized test through their feedback.
2.2.4 Testing Reading Comprehension
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