Language Test Development - DELA, UTESL & Customised Tests
The following tests were all either developed at the LTRC or with major involvement by LTRC staff.
DELA: Diagnostic English Language Assessment
DELA was developed by the LTRC in the early 1990s, and has been administered by the LTRC since then. DELA is used by universities in Australia and New Zealand to assess the English proficiency (reading, writing, listening) of non-English-speaking background (NESB) students commencing university study. The diagnostic information provided by the test is used by teaching units which provide ESL support to students. Institutions can purchase a site licence to use a particular form/forms of DELA for a given period. Alternatively, the LTRC will administer and score and report results of the test on your behalf.
UTESL: University Test of ESL
UTESL, developed and administered by the LTRC, has been used by a number of institutions in Victoria to assess the English proficiency of non-English speaking background (NESB) students applying for admission to advanced English for Academic Purpose courses. It also provides a means whereby tertiary institutions can make decisions about the amount and type of English language support an applicant is likely to need. Parallel (equated) forms of UTESL are available for purchase, with the fee varying according to the number of test takers involved. Assessor training is also available for each form.
Customised test examples linked on this page:
Examples of Customised English Language Tests
(OET) Occupational English Language Tests for Health Professionals
The OET assess and certifies the English language proficiency of overseas-trained health professionals wishing to gain accreditation to practise in Australia. The LTRC has been responsible for materials development, rater training, accreditation and monitoring, as well as ongoing research since 1990.
The Trinity Selection Test
A test to assess the English language ability of applicants for a university foundation course. The test offers recommendations for the amount of intensive English applicants are likely to require before commencing the foundation program.
Health Sciences Communication Skills Test Battery
These tests assess the oral communication skills of students beginning undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the health sciences at The University of Melbourne.
Graduating Students' Language Proficiency Assessment (GSLPA) English
The GSLPA was developed at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to assess the English Language proficiency of new graduates entering the workforce in Hong Kong. LTRC staff, working in Melbourne as well as at the Asian Centre for Language Assessment Research in Hong Kong were responsible for all aspects of test design, administration, rating and maintenance.
The English Proficiency Test for Indonesia
A test for teachers of English, developed in collaboration with the SEAMEO - Regional Language Centre, Singapore, formed part of an initiative to improve the quality of English language teaching in Indonesian Schools.
English Language Test for MBA Participants
LTRC developed this four-skills specific-purpose test for Monash Mt Eliza Business School, aiming to assess the English language skills of NESB applicants to Australian MBA courses.
Special Test of English Proficiency (STEP)
The STEP was used by the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to assess the functional English proficiency of certain classes of refugees wishing to obtain permanent residence in Australia. The LTRC had responsibility for task development, rating and analysis for the writing component of the STEP.
Australian Assessment of English Communication Skills (access:)
access: was used to assess functional English for use in a range of everyday and professional settings, and was used to assess the English proficiency of intending immigrants to Australia The LTRC was responsible for task design and development, rater training, rating, analysis and reporting of results for the speaking component of the access:.
Classroom-based procedure for assessment of English language proficiency of non-English speaking background Maths/Science teachers
This procedure was developed to monitor the English proficiency of graduates from non-English-medium universities training as maths and science teachers in Australia.
Examples of Customised Other Language Tests
Bilingual Health Language Proficiency Test
This telephone-based test, available in Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese, assesses how well bilingual health professionals are able to interact with patients with limited English skills.
Teacher Proficiency Tests: Japanese, Italian and Indonesian
These Languages Other Than English (LOTE) teacher proficiency tests were developed to identify appropriate standards of language proficiency for the teaching of Indonesian, Italian and Japanese in schools.
Computer-adaptive test in Japanese
This computer-adaptive placement test (CAT) in Japanese, developed for undergraduate students at the University of Melbourne, contains 225 multiple choice grammar items tested extensively in Australia, China and Japan.
The Japanese Language Test for Tour Guides
This test provides a practical assessment of Japanese-speaking guides' linguistic ability when interacting with tourists in a variety of situations.
Occupational Foreign Language Tests: Japanese and Korean for Tourism and Hospitality Industry
These audiotape-based tests, available at beginners and intermediate levels, assess how well candidates are able to interact verbally in service situations within the tourism and hospitality industry.