Reliability and Backwash

Which of the following best describes the beneficial backwash effect in foreign language teaching?

• When students rely heavily on translation during lessons.

• When students actively engage in speaking and listening activities.

• When grammar rules are taught in isolation.

• When students avoid using the target language outside of the classroom.

How can a teacher promote the beneficial backwash effect in language learning?

• By allowing students using their L1 during lessons when they struggle with the target language.

• By focusing mainly on grammar and translation exercises.

• By providing opportunities for meaningful communication in the target language.

• By watching long film clips and using technology in the classroom.

Which of the following scenarios is an example of a potential negative backwash effect?

• Students regularly practicing conversations in the target language with their peers.

• Students using translation apps to complete assignments.

• Students participating in language exchange programs.

• Students feeling anxious and avoiding speaking the target language outside of class.

Which of the following is NOT a good recommendation in terms of achieving beneficial backwash effect?

• A wider range of tasks should be used in testing.

• Test across the full range of the specifications.

• Texts and tasks should be as authentic as possible.

• Use indirect testing.

Which of the following is NOT a good recommendation in terms of achieving beneficial backwash effect?

• Constant pressure to achieve objectives will contribute to beneficial backwash.

• Base achievement tests on objectives.

• Evaluate learning against set objectives.

• Base achievement tests on detailed teaching and textbook content.

Practicality of the test is not as important as validity and reliability.

• True

• False

Testing a restricted area will have the backwash effect only in that area.

• True

• False

Why is the reliability coefficient for speaking is the lowest (0.70 – 0.79)?

• Because it’s the most difficult skill.

• Because it is taught after listening.

• Because evaluation is subjective.

• Because speaking tests are difficult to construct.

What does inter-rater reliability measure?

• The consistency of measurements taken by the same rater over time.

• The consistency between two or more independent raters.

• The reliability of testing techniques in the language test.

• The accuracy of the evaluation methods in the language classroom.

Which of the following is NOT a good recommendation for increasing the reliability of assessment?

• Identify candidates by name, not number.

• Use several scorers.

• Use detailed rubrics.

• Provide the same conditions of test administration.