Perseverance is rewarded with this discussion of reading and assessment

Assessing Reading by J. Charles Alderson – Cambridge University Press

Assessing Reading is a look at the process of testing reading in a second language. Comprising of a review of past and current assessments of reading, the book also looks at how reading assessment might change in the future.

The book explores what reading is and how it is assessed in different situations. Alderson is never able to make our understanding of this complete, but this is due to the nature of reading itself. As is made clear throughout, though there are many theories as to what reading could be, nobody really knows exactly what it is. This seems rather at odds with common sense, but Alderson reveals how problematic our understanding is by looking at the social, psychological and cognitive aspects of reading.

I never found out exactly what reading is, but the journey was interesting and valuable in itself. On a more practical level it gave me a better idea of the purpose and structure of formal tests which I prepare my students for, such as the IELTS test. It also helped me think about how I assess my students’ reading level in more informal situations.

There are a few downsides to the book, like very obvious statements such as: “…insofar as students find test situations threatening, we may risk inducing an understanding of the text which is “lower” than the same individuals might be able to achieve in other settings.” – surely not news for teachers. Also, although Alderson probably feels he must provide comprehensive coverage, there is a repetitive feel to some sections, which is only enhanced by the cyclic nature to his vocabulary and sentence structure. If you are able to get over these barriers however, the effort is worth it.

Though the book purports to focus on second language reading, I felt it would be useful for other kinds of language teachers too. Much of the discussion is about reading as a phenomenon in itself, whether in a first or second language. Though not for the casual reader (I found myself assessing my own reading skills at times), if you are involved in test design, preparing students for reading tests, or teaching reading in general, then I think that there is something useful for you here.

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