2021

Alanen, Riikka; Huhta, Ari

Language testing researchers and SLA researchers share an interest in finding the most reliable and valid ways to model language development, even though the goals and methods, as well as the conceptualization of the issues involved, are somewhat different across the two fields. This chapter discusses the use of language proficiency tests and scales for multiple languages and critically examines them in light of what is known about the use and development of languages in general from an SLA research perspective. It showcases currently existing language test systems that use a common scale and other assessment instruments for multiple languages, discussing some of the major challenges and issues in developing such cross-language testing systems and what those challenges and issues mean for SLA researchers who use the tests.