ABSTRACT

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is a computer adaptive test of English proficiency that is increasingly used for English-medium university admissions purposes. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, test centers were shut down in many countries, and major tests including the TOEFL iBT and IELTS could not be administered. The DET is an “at home” test, and thus many universities began accepting DET scores as ameasure of applicants’ English proficiency. Because a revised version of the DET was launched in July, 2019, and because of the large increase in universities accepting DET scores, a critical review of the DET is warranted. The current review lauds the accessibility of the test (e.g., it is an inexpensive “at home” test that can be taken anywhere, in less than an hour, with scores returned in 48 hours). However, the test has multiple shortcomings: the test tasks have little in common with the types of language tasks university students engage in; the test does not assess test takers’ academic language ability, discourse level competence, or interactional competence; it is susceptible to cheating and test preparation; and it has a potential for negative washback on learners and learning systems. In addition, there is a lack of independent research validating the use of DET scores for admissions. Given these shortcomings, the use of DET scores cannot be recommended for university admissions purposes.

摘要

Duolingo英语测验（DET）是一种英语能力的计算机自适应测验，越来越多地用于英语中等大学的录取目的。在2020年COVID-19大流行期间，许多国家/地区关闭了考试中心，并且无法进行包括TOEFL iBT和IELTS在内的重大考试。DET是一项“在家”测试，因此许多大学开始接受DET分数来衡量申请人的英语水平。由于DET的修订版本于2019年7月发布，并且由于接受DET分数的大学数量大量增加，因此有必要对DET进行严格审查。当前的评论称赞该考试的可及性（例如，它是一种便宜的“在家”考试，可以在不到一个小时的任何时间进行，并且在48小时之内即可返回分数）。然而，考试有很多缺点：考试任务与大学生从事的语言任务类型几乎没有共同点；考试不评估应试者的学术语言能力，话语水平能力或互动能力；它易于作弊和考试准备；并有可能对学习者和学习系统产生负面影响。此外，缺乏独立的研究来验证DET分数在招生中的使用。鉴于这些缺点，不建议将DET分数用于大学入学目的。它易于作弊和考试准备；并有可能对学习者和学习系统产生负面影响。此外，缺乏独立的研究来验证DET分数在招生中的使用。鉴于这些缺点，不建议将DET分数用于大学入学目的。它易于作弊和考试准备；并有可能对学习者和学习系统产生负面影响。此外，缺乏独立的研究来验证DET分数在招生中的使用。鉴于这些缺点，不建议将DET分数用于大学入学目的。