INTERACTION IN 2ND LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT - WHOSE PERFORMANCE

Discussions of interaction in second language performance assessment h ave generally been loosely psychological in orientation, forming part of attempts to model the nature of communicative ability within the in dividual. But in investigating the validity of performance assessments involving interactions between individuals (for example between candi date and interlocutor in speaking assessments), the intrinsically soci al nature of performance needs to be recognized. What would be the con sequences for language testing research if it adopted a social perspec tive on the nature of interaction? The paper explores the necessity fo r such a reorientation, and suggests areas that would feature in a con sequent research agenda.