This course will discuss the main conceptual and empirical approaches in second language assessment. It will explore these approaches (various tests and assessment methods) to second language assessment as they relate to various constructs of language ability, language learning/acquisition theories, and context of use of second language. Basic elements of language tests such as authenticity, interactiveness, practicality, impact, as well as construct validity and reliability will be presented and discussed through examples of first and second language tests. Issues to be discussed include, test taker’s characteristics and rater’s bias, relation between language acquisition and language testing research, decontextualisation of language in tests, the importance of correspondences between language use and language test tasks as well as technology in testing. After this course, students will be ready to explore more in depth philosophical or technical aspects of second language assessment (i.e., psychometrics and creation of tests).