Natural Language Processing Applications in Language Assessment

Abstract

Natural language processing is a subfield of artificial intelligence investigating how computers can be utilised to understand and process natural language text or speech to accomplish useful things in various areas, and it draws on various disciplines, such as computer science, linguistics, and robotics. Natural language processing applications, including automated speech recognition and scoring, have several exciting prospects for language testing and assessment practices. These prospects include addressing practical constraints associated with test administration and scoring, securing standardisation in test delivery, ensuring objectiveness and reliability in scoring procedures, and providing personalised feedback for learning. This chapter focuses on automated speech scoring and its applications in language testing and assessment and discusses how these systems can be employed in assessment contexts. The chapter also discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of automated speech scoring while focusing on construct-related and practical challenges surrounding such systems.