A Developmental Study on Modelling Proficiency Test of an Indigenous Language in Indonesia

Abstract

The paper considers that the necessity of establishing proficiency test of an indigenous language, namely Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Sunda (UKBS) is indispensable. Guided by the fact that some languages have established their official proficiency test, UKBS has to devise a way to compose its competence map, general test material, and material selection. The present study mainly combines the respective model exemplified by Borg and Gall (1983) and Kirkpatrick (1998). The model covers initial stage, designing stage, trial (revisionary) stage, and practical implementation stage.The study only focuses on the initial stage and designing stage. UKBS has sections (girangan) and materials. UKBS encompasses five pinpoint topics, namely girangan I: ngaregepkeun (listening), girangan II: ngarespon kaidah tata basa Sunda (responding Sundanese grammar), girangan III: maca (reading),girangan IV: nulis (writing), andgirangan V: nyarita (speaking). It is a paradigm that UKBS is a proficiency test, not an achievement test. Therefore, the test refers to actual language use situation. The topics have a way of alluding to culture, social, education, profession, and scientific realm. Eventually, the validity test proves that all test items for each section are reliable. Nevertheless, the findings should be integrated to trial and practical implementation stage for the betterment of UKBS model. 1