ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses key terms of validity and reliability being fundamental to understanding unique issues involved in assessing second language (L2) pragmatics. It also discusses a range of theoretical frameworks that serve as a basis for construct definition in L2 pragmatics. The chapter describes to establish the link between theories in L2 pragmatics and validity evidence brought to bear in making an inference about learners’ pragmatic competence. It provides various pragmatic assessment test types used in both large-scale and classroom-based assessment contexts, focusing on research issues that impact validity and reliability. The chapter analyzes the prior and conceptualization of L2 pragmatic competence as an assessment construct under various theoretical frameworks, which serve as a basis for construct definition in L2 pragmatics. Assessment of the context-rich nature of L2 pragmatics, in turn, presents various challenges, particularly in ensuring validity and reliability, which are two central concepts in language assessment.