Word-Definition Matching Format: A Vocabulary Level Test for EFL Learners

 

 

Cucu Sutarsyah

 

Designing a standardized vocabulary test as one of language evaluation and instruction is inevitable in language teaching program. Many vocabulary-testing formats have been developed to meet the need of measuring vocabulary knowledge (Read, 1993; Nation, 1990; Meara and Buxton, 1987, and Beglar and Hunt, 1999). These vocabulary tests are usually designed especially to measure the breadth and the depth of vocabulary knowledge. The need to develop vocabulary test for Indonesian context is required to see learners’ vocabulary size, proficiency, and readiness to follow instructional program. This has a direct implication to the designing of instruction and teaching materials. This study concerns with the development of vocabulary test called word-definition-matching format (WDMF). The test was prepared particularly for measuring the breadth of learners’ vocabulary knowledge.  The primary aim of this test is to investigate learners’ vocabulary size based on certain levels. The levels are limited to only four levels, namely, the first three levels which were taken from General Service List of English Words (GSL) and comprised the first, 1,000 words, the second 1,000 words, and the third 1,000 words level. The fourth level was taken from University Word List (Nation, 1993).

 

Two groups of English Department students from two universities in Malang were involved in the process of try out and validation of the test. Another established vocabulary test (Nation, 1990) was also used and compared to meet the validation process. In addition some English teachers were asked to judge the quality of the test. The result shows sufficient evidence that the test has acceptable validity and reliability. The WDMF test is appropriate as a measurement of vocabulary knowledge.

 

 

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Sutarsyah, C. (2003, October). Word-definition matching format: A vocabulary level test for EFL learners. Paper presented at the 51^st TEFLIN International Conference, Bandung, Indonesia.

 

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