Promoting English vocabulary research in primary and secondary education: test review and test selection criteria

Abstract

This article intends lo fill a gap regarding critical discussions about the suitability of available tests lo investigate learners' vocabulary in the context of English language teaching in Spanish Primary and Secondary schools. With this purpose in mind, we set out lo compile, classify, and compare a sample of representative tests spread in English as an additional language research of the last two decades. Then we tentatively propose a practical evaluation that pays attention lo different aspects such as the number and nature of dimensions of lexical competence measured by the test, the adequacy of the test for learners of particular ages, test practicability concerning its administration and its test validity and reliability. We end the article with an application of these preliminary criteria lo the evaluation of the Vocabulary Levels Test, a well known test in English vocabulary research.