시행 결과를 통해 본 한국어능력시험의발전 양상 연구

Abstract

Fifteen Years since the inception of the Test of Proficiency in Korean(TOPIK) in 1997, it has been administered 22 times thus far. The TOPIK firmly spreads its prestige as an object measurement of Korean language ability at the national level. The test system has been continuously modified efforts made towards its standardization and greater practicality. Detailing level descriptions and altering question types increased the test's validity and reliability. The decision to move from six to three types of tests also increased the practicality of the TOPIK. Additionally, in 2010 the test was administered four times a year in an effort to increase accessibility. Analyzing the test results of the first TOPIK in 1997 to the 20th in 2010, this paper examines the test's progression. Focus areas include the countries offering the test, number of test takers, level distribution of test takers, and the purpose for examination. In 2010 the number of countries administering the test was 38,from what was only four countries in 1997. By 2010 the number of test takers increased from 2,274 in 1997 to 92,594. The increased number of test takers reveal significant progression in the level distribution. In the initial administration of the test the majority were beginner level test takers followed by decreased numbers of intermediate and advanced level test takers creating a pyramid-like shape. In the first half of the 2000s, similar to a bell-like shape,the number of intermediate and beginner level test takers were similar in number. However, entering the later half of the 2000s, an increase of test takers were observed followed by the advanced and beginner levels respectively,illustrating a contracting-like form. In regards to the purpose of examination, the majority still take the test to verify language ability, however, after 2008 there was an increase of test takers using the examination for study abroad and employment purposes. In this way, the TOPIK's history is brief, however,quantitatively and qualitatively the test has made great strides.