The Social Dimension of Language Testing

Abstract

Language tests have high social power because they are used to inform important decisions that impact test takers' lives, related to education, employment, or citizenship. Unlike the traditional approaches of language testing that focus on psychometrics, critical language testing (CLT) focuses on the social dimension and the impact of language tests on test takers, education, and society. CLT proposes various effective language assessment approaches and strategies, such as dynamic assessment , literacy assessment , test accommodations and differential item functioning (DIF), alternative assessment , and multilingual assessments, which can reduce the power of language tests. The goal of CLT is not to eliminate language tests, but to uncover the hidden agendas behind them and to make them fair and inclusive. CLT aims to prevent test takers' discrimination and marginalization and to transform language tests into ethical educational tools that acknowledge the importance of multilingualism and diversity.

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