Suggesting a policy-driven approach to validation in the context of the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK)

ABSTRACT

This study suggests a conceptual framework for policy-driven test development and validation, using the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) as an example context. By linking the literature on policy analysis and argument structure in the validation of testing, the strong relationships between policy and testing are illustrated. This rationalizes why policy-driven test development and implementation require the analysis of multiple stakeholders, content, context, and processes. The suggested framework will enable test providers to investigate the legitimacy of test development and use at the initial stages. The TOPIK was often intended for socio-political purposes, and was utilized for admissions and employment purposes. Today, its use has extended for the purposes of visa issuance, permanent residence, and naturalization. Thus, it is posited that the legitimacy of any policy-driven testing should be evaluated in terms of context, consequence, and feasibility.

KEYWORDS:

• Policy-driven test
• policy analysis
• language testing
• test validation
• TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gwan-Hyeok Im

Gwan-Hyeok Im completed his Master of Applied Linguistics with specialization in language testing at the University of Melbourne, Australia and his Ph.D. in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University, Canada. His research interests include validity/validation theories and English as a lingua franca.

Dongil Shin

Dongil Shin is Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of English Language and Literature, Chung-Ang University, Korea. Since completing his doctorate at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he has researched language testing (policies), (critical) discourse analysis, and language governmentality in Korean contexts. He tries to explore critical discursive approaches to language testing (policies) in newly emerging multilingual societies.

Soohyeon Park

Soohyeon Park is a Korean language lecturer in the International Language School at Sangji University, South Korea. Her research interests include language testing policy, critical discourse analysis, and immigration, mostly in the Korean context.