Approaches to Language Testing. Advances in Language Testing Series: 2. Papers in Applied Linguistics.

This volume, one in a series on modern language testing, collects four essays dealing with current approaches to lanquage testing. The introduction traces the development of language testing theory and examines the role of linguistics in this area. "The Psycholinguistic Basis," by E. Ingram, discusses some interpretations of the term "psycholinguistics" and relates them to traditional and recent language testing practices. "Psychometric Considerations in Language Testing," by J.L.D. Clark, discusses aspects of psychometric practice with regard to three broad categories of purpose within the area of language testing: (1) prognostic testing, (2) diagnostic testing, and (3) proficiency testing. "The Sociolinguistic Foundations of Language Testing," by J.A. Fishman and R.L. Cooper, illustrates the usefulness of a sociolinguistic approach and provides justification for it by the construction of language assessment procedures. "Pragmatics and Language Testing," by J.W. Oller, Jr., discusses in historical perspective the major concepts of pragmatics and relates them to language testing. (AM)