Validating Communicative Tests of Reading and Language Use of Classical Greek

David Coniam,Polyxeni Poupounaki-Lappa,Tzortzina Peristeri

doi:10.1017/s2058631021000532

David Coniam, Polyxeni Poupounaki-Lappa + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s2058631021000532

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Abstract

AbstractThis paper builds on the work presented previously in this journal by Poupounaki-Lappa et al. (2021), which described the development of a communicative test of Reading and Language Use of Classical Greek calibrated to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) at levels A1 and A2 (Council of Europe, 2001). In the current paper, the two tests of Classical Greek are calibrated both together and to the CEFR. In addition to describing the methodology for comparing the two separate tests of Classical Greek, the paper is also designed to be of interest to educators of other classical languages. It is hoped that they may find it useful not only by facilitating robust test design, but also by demonstrating the methods by which tests can be linked together on a common scale (as with the CEFR) or linking tests one to another (e.g., different end-of-year tests, at different points in time).

Highlights

This paper builds on the groundwork presented in PoupounakiLappa et al (2021), which described the development of a communicative test of Reading and Language Use of Classical Greek calibrated to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) at levels A1 and A2 (Council of Europe, 2001)1
The paper will hopefully be of interest to educators of other classical languages who may find it useful regarding robust test design, and regarding linking tests together on a common scale or in linking tests one to another
Test takers who took the two tests were subsequently approached – by email, following their consent to be contacted – and asked to complete a survey. This consisted of a series of Selfassessment Can-do statements, adapted from CEFR material for other languages

Summary

Introduction

This paper builds on the groundwork presented in PoupounakiLappa et al (2021), which described the development of a communicative test of Reading and Language Use of Classical Greek calibrated to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) at levels A1 and A2 (Council of Europe, 2001). To adequately validate a test (or tests) requires some form of external triangulation or confirmation beyond the test To this end, the single scale produced through Rasch measurement in the current project has been validated by a number of test takers who completed a set of Can-do statements (see Appendix 2) ranging from Pre-A1 to B1+ levels. The single scale produced through Rasch measurement in the current project has been validated by a number of test takers who completed a set of Can-do statements (see Appendix 2) ranging from Pre-A1 to B1+ levels These self-assessments were regressed against test scores, providing evidence for the validity of the test constructs through the test takers’ judgements of their own abilities. Similar attention will be paid in order to redress the imbalance in this test

Triangulating Test Results

Conclusion

Limitations