Investigating aspects of validity in mediation tasks: a case study from the Greek State Certificate of Language Proficiency
Gratsia-Orfanou Eirini
Department of Linguistics and Modern English Language, Lancaster University
Abstract
The present study examines some aspects of the content validity of mediation tasks (with Greek L1 input) through a case study of a relatively new examination in Greece, the State Certificate of Language Proficiency (KPG). An instrument was devised and six linguists were asked to evaluate the reading skills, part of the specifications, as well as give their personal opinion regarding mediation tasks. Follow-up interviews were used in order to validate the questionnaire. The findings, in line with Alderson's earlier work (1993), failed to show any systematic patterns or agreement amongst the informants, but revealed a variety of characteristics which need to be addressed in the process of validating mediation tasks.
