Research Article
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Current Problems and Proposed Solutions for Testing Speaking: Opinions of EFL Teachers

Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 27 - 36, 30.06.2018

Abstract

This paper is an
attempt to explore EFL teachers’ opinions about the problems they encounter and
proposals for solutions with regard to the speaking test implemented at a
state university in Turkey. The participants were 22 EFL instructors teaching
English at a state university in Turkey. 
The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview form
developed by the researcher. The form was developed based on the review of
literature. Among the content analysis methods, categorical analysis method
and inductive analysis method were used to analyze the data obtained through semi-structured
interview form administered to the teachers. T
he results were analyzed and
discussed in terms of the speaking test and its implications for teaching and
learning activities and testing. In the light of the study findings, majority
of the teachers thought that time limitation is a factor that affects the
validity and reliability of speaking test. In addition, teachers stated that
formative assessment during the academic year would produce better results
performances in testing speaking. 

References

  • Bachman, L. F. & Palmer, A.S. (1990). Fundamental Considerations in language testing, Oxford University Press, Oxford
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç-Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş. & Demirel, F. (2008). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri (2. Baskı) [Research methods]. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  • Cohen, A.D (1994). Assessing Language Ability in the Classroom (Teaching Methods), Heinle ELT, Boston
  • Çopur, D. (2002). Testing first year FLE students’ oral performance using four speaking test methods in spoken English II course and students’ attitudes towards these speaking testing methods. Unpublished M.A. dissertation, Middle East Technical University.
  • Fitzpatrick, R. & Morrison, E.J. (1971). Performance and Product Evaluation. In Educational Measurement, R. L. Thorndike (ed.), 237-270, American Council of Education, Washington DC.
  • Güllüoğlu, O. (2004). Attitudes and Perceptions of the Students at Gazi University towards testing speaking.Unpublished master's thesis, Gazi University, Ankara.
  • Harmer, J. (2004). The Practice of English Language Teaching, Longman, Malaysia
  • Heaton, J.B. (2003). Writing English Language Tests, Longman, London
  • Hughes, A. (1989). Testing for language teachers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • Kaplan, R.M. & Saccuzzo, D.P. (2001). Psychological Testing: Principle, Applications and Issues (5th Edition), Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.
  • Kuo, J. & Jiang, X. (1997). Assessing The Assessments: The OPI and The SOPI. Foreign Language Annals, 30, no:4
  • Louma, S. (2004). Assessing Speaking, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Madsen, H. S. (1983). Techniques in Testing. Oxford University Press, New York
  • Underhill, N. (1989). Testing Spoken Language, A handbook of Oral Testing Techniques, Cambridge, University Press Edinburgh.
Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 27 - 36, 30.06.2018

Abstract

References

  • Bachman, L. F. & Palmer, A.S. (1990). Fundamental Considerations in language testing, Oxford University Press, Oxford
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç-Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş. & Demirel, F. (2008). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri (2. Baskı) [Research methods]. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  • Cohen, A.D (1994). Assessing Language Ability in the Classroom (Teaching Methods), Heinle ELT, Boston
  • Çopur, D. (2002). Testing first year FLE students’ oral performance using four speaking test methods in spoken English II course and students’ attitudes towards these speaking testing methods. Unpublished M.A. dissertation, Middle East Technical University.
  • Fitzpatrick, R. & Morrison, E.J. (1971). Performance and Product Evaluation. In Educational Measurement, R. L. Thorndike (ed.), 237-270, American Council of Education, Washington DC.
  • Güllüoğlu, O. (2004). Attitudes and Perceptions of the Students at Gazi University towards testing speaking.Unpublished master's thesis, Gazi University, Ankara.
  • Harmer, J. (2004). The Practice of English Language Teaching, Longman, Malaysia
  • Heaton, J.B. (2003). Writing English Language Tests, Longman, London
  • Hughes, A. (1989). Testing for language teachers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • Kaplan, R.M. & Saccuzzo, D.P. (2001). Psychological Testing: Principle, Applications and Issues (5th Edition), Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.
  • Kuo, J. & Jiang, X. (1997). Assessing The Assessments: The OPI and The SOPI. Foreign Language Annals, 30, no:4
  • Louma, S. (2004). Assessing Speaking, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Madsen, H. S. (1983). Techniques in Testing. Oxford University Press, New York
  • Underhill, N. (1989). Testing Spoken Language, A handbook of Oral Testing Techniques, Cambridge, University Press Edinburgh.
There are 14 citations in total.

Details

Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Devrim Höl 0000-0001-5151-2581

Publication Date June 30, 2018
Submission Date November 8, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 4 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Höl, D. (2018). Current Problems and Proposed Solutions for Testing Speaking: Opinions of EFL Teachers. The Literacy Trek, 4(1), 27-36.

Creative Commons License The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copyright rests with the author; The Literacy Trek must be referred properly.