中学校レベルにおけるコミュニケーションのための基礎英語力診断テスト

抄録

The TOBEC test (Test of Basic English for Communication) has been designed by the author to examine basic English language abilities for communication at junior high school level. The format of the test is based on Canale's (1983) theoretical framework for communicative competence with four major components: grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence and strategic competence. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the process of communicative test designing and to analyze the results of the TOBEC test from four main points of view: (1) student performance, (2) effectiveness of the test, (3) item analysis of multiple-choice items, and (4) answer analysis of an open-ended item. The paper concludes that the testing of communicative competence will become increasingly important in Japan and that further research in this area is required.