Direct and Semi-Direct Validation: Test Takers’ Perceptions, Evaluations and Anxiety towards Speaking Module of an English Proficiency Test

Authors

  • Houman Bijani Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  • Mona Khabiri Department of English Language Teaching, Islamic Azad University; Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:

This research study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the test takers’ perceptions and anx- iety in relation to an English language proficiency test called Community English Program (CEP). This study also evaluated the direct and semi-direct modes for speaking module of this test. To this end, 300 Eng- lish as Foreign Language (EFL) students were recruited in the study as test takers. They were invited to take the CEP speaking test using five tasks of Description, Narration, Summarization, Role-play and Exposition in both direct and semi-direct test modes. Their perceptions and evaluations of both test modes, through questionnaires, interviews and observations were examined. The results of the factor analysis revealed that test takers’ evaluations of both direct and semi-direct speaking modes were quite similar, yet not exactly identical. On the other hand, although test takers’ anxiety was shown influential, the findings showed that the most determining factor in test takers’ oral performance was their capability level. Capability level was the main reason why some test takers out-performed the others. The findings also demonstrated that test difficulty identification was complex, difficult and at the same time multidimensional. The quantitative re- sults displayed that the raters were scoring speaking performances differently; the qualitative results also provided logic for the reasons of these differences on the side of the test takers. Finally, the impact of test takers’ gender differences on their perceptions was found nonsignificant.  

Upgrade to premium to download articles

Sign up to access the full text

Already have an account?login

similar resources

direct and semi-direct validation: test takers’ perceptions, evaluations and anxiety towards speaking module of an english proficiency test

this research study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the test takers’ perceptions and anx- iety in relation to an english language proficiency test called community english program (cep). this study also evaluated the direct and semi-direct modes for speaking module of this test. to this end, 300 eng- lish as foreign language (efl) students were recruited in the study as test ta...

full text

construction and validation of the translation teacher competency test and the scale of students’ perceptions of translation teachers

the major purpose of this study was to develop the translation teacher competency test (ttct) and examine its construct and predictive validity. the present study was conducted in two phases: a qualitative phase as well as a quantitative phase. in the first phase of the study, the author attempted to find out the major areas of competency required for an academic translation teacher. the second...

construct and predictive validation of english language teachers competency test (elt-ct

یافتن اعتبار سازه ای و پیشگویانه تست با استفاده از,efa.

15 صفحه اول

Test-Takers’ Perceptions of Paired Speaking Tests and the Role of Interlocutor Variables in Pairing

As a mixed-method study, this study investigated EFL test-takers’ perceptions of paired speaking tests and the role of interlocutor variables (i.e., peer interlocutor’s acquaintanceship, gender, and proficiency level) in pairing in a Cambridge English Language Assessment Open Center. The participants (N = 148), having experienced sitting either live paired speaking tests of Cambridge E...

full text

the relationship between test-takers and experts perception of prompt difficulty

چکیده مهارت شنیداری برای مدتهای طولانی در آموزش ، تحقیق و ارزیابی مورد غفلت قرار گرفته است. اگرچه در سالهای اخیر به خاطر اهمیت قابل ملاحظه این توانائیها در آموزش و آزمون زبان ، توجه بیشتری به توانائیهای شنیداری شده است. هم چنانکه درک شنیداری در آموزش و ارزیابی زبان دوم اهمیت فزاینده ای می یابد محققین سعی نموده اند تا ماهیت مهارتهای مستتر در مهارت شنیداری را مورد بررسی و مطالعه قرار دهند. هدف ...

15 صفحه اول

exploring motivation and english test preparation strategies of iranian pre-university candidates during and at the end of test preparation period for konkur examination

the current study aimed at investigating the relationship between motivation and test preparation strategies (tpss) used by iranian pre-university students in their preparation period for the university entrance exam (uee). due to the importance of uee in iran, this study also attempted to show its impact on these two important variables. to this end, 100 pre-university students in an iranian p...

My Resources

Save resource for easier access later

Save to my library Already added to my library

{@ msg_add @}


Journal title

volume 7  issue 1

pages  25- 41

publication date 2017-04-01

By following a journal you will be notified via email when a new issue of this journal is published.

Hosted on Doprax cloud platform doprax.com

copyright © 2015-2023