Vocabulary assessment: A look at different methods of vocabulary testing

The main focus of the research reported on in this article concerns the methods used to test students' understanding of vocabulary, and the validation of these methods. Two vocabulary tests are assessed in terms of their ability to measure students' performance, both in general academic terms at subject level and in comparison to their performance in language proficiency tests. The subjects used for this study were undergraduate students from the Education Department at Vista University and all first-year students at the University of Pretoria who were required to complete a language proficiency test. The rationale for the establishment of the language proficiency test is explained, and the method used to assess the students' language proficiency is described The results of the correlation between the vocabulary tests in particular, language proficiency tests in general and academic performance is then explored This paper concludes with a brief look at the implications of the findings for students at tertiary level.