126710 FK BEd 07.1: FK Language Assessment and Feedback (2024S)

Aims and contents of the course:
This course is designed to give future teachers a basic grounding in the core areas of assessment, including construct definition, test specifications, item formats, validity of assessments, reliability of judgements, test practicality, feedback and learning-oriented assessment. The assessment of all four skills, plus grammar and vocabulary, will be covered to varying degrees (incl. analysing/adapting existing tasks), as are rater training for writing/speaking and the practicalities of formative and summative assessment in the Austrian classroom.

The major aims are to
* develop a basic understanding of fundamental concepts in language assessment with a special focus on the classroom context;
* understand how to implement these concepts in the selection, development and evaluation of assessment instruments used;
* understand the links between assessment, testing, learning and teaching;
* help participants to become confident enough to continue learning about language assessment on their own.

Methods:
Classroom projects, individual/pair/group work (compiling tasks for a "Schularbeit", rater training), discussion of readings, critical reflection on key concepts in language assessment, critical evaluation of assessment instruments