EDF5643 Language assessment and testing
Faculty of Education
EDF5643 Language assessment and testing is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Education, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs EDF5630 and unlocks 3 units, leading on to 5 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
Reviews
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Requisites
Before EDF5643
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After EDF5643
3 units list EDF5643 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite
Must be enrolled in A6001 Master of Applied Linguistics or in a graduate course owned by the Faculty of Education
Overview
This unit examines contemporary theories and practices in language assessment and testing. It explores innovative approaches to assessment design and validation, recent advancements in language testing technologies including the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and the pedagogical implications of diverse assessment practices. Particular emphasis is placed on the ethical and social dimensions of language test use, with a focus on fairness, equity, and the broader consequences of assessment for learners and institutions. You will engage with a range of assessment purposes and develop a principled framework for critically evaluating assessment tools and practices. Through applied tasks, you will gain practical experience in designing, trialling and analysing a variety of assessment instruments, including authentic, integrated and digitally mediated tasks that are appropriate to your professional contexts.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flx blk |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Group presentation (1600 words or equivalent per student)Presentation40%
- Assessment task design (2400 words or equivalent)Written60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
analyse the diverse purposes, contexts and implications of language assessment
- 2
critically evaluate key principles of language assessment, with particular attention to fairness, equity and the social consequences of testing
- 3
engage critically with current debates, innovations and research developments in language assessment, including those involving digital tools and AI
- 4
design, trial and justify assessment tasks that reflect theoretical knowledge and are appropriate to specific pedagogical and professional contexts.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.
Usually, you can expect to engage with:
- a total of 24 hours of scheduled learning. These will typically include 18-24 hours of on-campus regular directed learning activities, with any remaining hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities and self-directed/independent study
OR - a total of 24 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via a combination of synchronous and asynchronous directed learning activities, and the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study^
^ International students studying in Australia are not permitted to undertake this scheduled learning delivery mode
You will be provided with the opportunity to engage with relevant literature and resources. Further, you will be encouraged to deepen your understanding of topic areas through collegial discussion and debate, and by participating in activities designed to extend your understanding.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Please visit the unit Moodle site for further information.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Gary Bonar
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EDF5643?
You need EDF5630 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after EDF5643?
EDF5643 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including EDF5697, EDF5698 and EDF5717. Those lead on to 5 units in all.
When is EDF5643 offered?
In 2027, EDF5643 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is EDF5643?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EDF5643 have an exam?
No. EDF5643 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.