L2 Writing Assessment: An Evolutionary Perspective

This book explores the choices faced by developers of L2 writing assessments, including defining L2 writing abilities, collecting evidence, and judging performance. It takes a historical view of these choices and discusses current issues in writing assessment, including the digital age. It is of interest to students, scholars, and practitioners in language assessment, language education, and applied linguistics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of developing L2 writing assessments, encompassing three crucial choices that developers face: defining L2 writing abilities, collecting evidence of those abilities through writing tasks, and judging their performance through assigning scores or grades. Taking a historical perspective, the book explores how assessment developers have navigated these choices over time, shedding light on the emergence of contemporary practices and the demise of alternative techniques.

In the first section, the book delves into the social functions that underpin L2 writing and assessment, examining the roles they play in language learning, teaching, and evaluation. It explores the evolving conceptions of languages, writing, and assessment, highlighting how assessment tasks have adapted to accommodate these changes. The second section examines the evolution of scoring systems, exploring the criteria and methods used to evaluate L2 writing. It discusses the challenges and limitations of traditional scoring approaches, such as holistic grading, and introduces new technologies and digital tools that have revolutionized the assessment landscape.

The third section delves into the new opportunities and challenges posed by the digital age in writing assessment. It examines how digital technologies can enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of assessment processes, while also raising concerns about equity, authenticity, and the preservation of linguistic diversity. The book provides insights into best practices for designing and implementing digital writing assessments, including considerations for language proficiency, task design, and scoring criteria.

Throughout the book, the authors draw from a wealth of research and practical experiences to provide comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of L2 writing assessment. It is an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and practitioners in language assessment, language education, and applied linguistics, offering valuable insights and strategies for developing and evaluating L2 writing abilities.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 216 x 154 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031150104
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022