Testing English as a foreign language: a case study of classroom tests in Qatar

Abstract

The thesis is concerned with testing English as a foreign language in general and concentrates on testing in Qatar in particular. Chapter I provides a brief overview of education in Qatar to form a solid basis for the study. Chapter II presents an overview of the historical stages of development of testing and relates the Qatari situation to that framework. Chapter III is devoted to the different kinds of test and their advantages and disadvantages and relates this framework to the Qatari situation by describing the kinds of test currently in use in Qatar. Chapter IV focuses on the issues of reliability and validity. These two qualities are dealt with as a basis for judging and improving achievement tests. Chapter V will focus even more closely on the kinds of tests used in Qatari schools. These tests are written either by the Inspectorate or by classroom teachers to reflect the nature of the course. This chapter describes a case study which is based on "the Crescent English Course". It also provides a full description of the materials being used as well as the examination frequency and the allocated marks. Chapter VI is a summary chapter which deals with recommendations to improve the current status of classroom tests.