Geleneksel Sınavlardan Dört Dil Becerisinin Değerlendirilmesine: Türkiye’de e-TEP Sınavına Giren Bireylerin Algıları Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Öz

Türkiye’de yakın zamanda uygulamaya konulan Elektronik İngilizce Yeterlik Sınavı (e-TEP), ağırlıklı olarak alıcı dil becerilerini ölçen çoktan seçmeli formatlara dayalı önceki İngilizce yeterlik sınavlarından önemli ölçüde ayrılmaktadır. Dinleme, okuma, konuşma ve yazma becerilerini değerlendiren e-TEP, ulusal düzeyde uygulanan, dört beceriye dayalı bilgisayar tabanlı bir sınavdır. Bununla birlikte, sınava giren bireylerin sınava erişim, sınavın uygulanması ve puanlama süreçlerine ilişkin deneyimleri ile sınavın daha geniş eğitsel etkilerine yönelik algıları hakkında sınırlı bilgi bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, sınava giren bireylerin e-TEP’e ilişkin deneyim ve algılarının anlaşılması ve sınavın algılanan güçlü ve zayıf yönleri ile eğitsel sonuçlarına ilişkin görüşlerinin ortaya çıkarılması amaçlanmıştır. Nitel betimsel araştırma deseninin benimsendiği çalışmada, e-TEP’e katılmış 15 kişiyle gerçekleştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler Refleksif Tematik Analiz kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulguları üç ana tema altında toplanmıştır: (1) Sınav Öncesi Güçlükler, (2) Sınav Sırasındaki Güçlükler ve (3) Sınav Sonrası Güçlükler. Sınav öncesinde katılımcılar; sınav ücreti, sınav merkezlerindeki sınırlı kontenjan, coğrafi erişimin kısıtlı olması, resmî hazırlık materyallerinin yetersizliği, akademik içeriğin zorlayıcılığı ve geleneksel YDS/YÖKDİL sınav stratejilerinin yanı sıra bilgisayar tabanlı ve dört beceriye yönelik sınav hazırlığına duyulan ihtiyaç konusunda çeşitli güçlükler dile getirmiştir. Sınav sırasında ise katılımcılar zaman yönetimi, mola verememe, uzun süre oturmaya bağlı zihinsel ve fiziksel yorgunluk, eş zamanlı konuşma görevlerinden kaynaklanan gürültü, teknik aksaklıklar, sınav arayüzünün sınırlılıkları ve bireylerin bilgisayar okuryazarlığı düzeylerinin performansları üzerindeki olumlu veya olumsuz etkileriyle ilgili güçlükler yaşadıklarını belirtmiştir. Sınav sonrasında dile getirilen konular arasında puanlamaya ilişkin şeffaflığın yetersizliği, insan veya makine tarafından gerçekleştirilen değerlendirmenin nihai puanlar üzerindeki olası etkisine ilişkin belirsizlik, puanların açıklanmasındaki gecikmeler, farklı sınav katılımcısı grupları arasında puanların eşdeğerliği ve akreditasyonu ile e-TEP’in katılımcıların akademik ve mesleki gelişimleri üzerindeki olası etkileri yer almıştır. Çalışmanın bulguları, e-TEP’in Türkiye’de İngilizcenin dört becerisinin değerlendirilme biçiminde önemli bir dönüşümü destekleme ve dört dil becerisini daha kapsamlı ve iletişimsel bir yaklaşımla değerlendirme açısından önemli bir potansiyele sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• e-TEP
• dört beceri temelli değerlendirme
• İngilizce yeterlik sınavı
• bilgisayar tabanlı sınav
• aday görüşleri
• geri etki

From Traditional Testing to Four-Skills Assessment: A Qualitative Study of Test-Taker Perceptions of the e-TEP in Türkiye

Öz

Launched recently in Türkiye, the digital version of the Test of English Proficiency (e-TEP) is a break from previous English proficiency testing methods in Türkiye, which have focused mainly on receptive multiple-choice formats. The e-TEP is a national, four-skills, computer-based test that assesses listening, reading, speaking and writing ability. However, little is known about the experiences test-takers have had with respect to access, administration and scoring, and with respect to potential impact in terms of their larger educational impacts. In this study the researcher sought to understand test-taker experiences and perceptions of the e-TEP and to gain insights into the perceived strengths, weaknesses and educational implications associated with the e-TEP. Adopting a qualitative descriptive design, the study drew on semi-structured interviews with 15 e-TEP test-takers and analysed the data using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. From the study three major themes emerged: (1) Pre-Examination Challenges, (2) Challenges During the Examination, and (3) Post-Examination Challenges. Test-taker concerns prior to taking the test included exam costs, limited capacity at test centre locations, limited geographical access, lack of official preparation materials, challenging academic content and the need for electronic and four-skill assessment preparation in addition to traditional YDS/YÖKDİL exam strategies. During the test itself, test-takers expressed challenges with time management, inability to take breaks, mental and physical fatigue (due to prolonged periods of sitting), noise from simultaneous speaking tasks, technical malfunctions, limitations of the interface and the positive or negative effects of an individual’s computer literacy skills on their performance. Post-test test-taker issues included lack of transparency with respect to scoring, uncertainty with respect to the extent to which human or machine evaluation would have an impact on their final score(s), delayed scoring, equivalence and accreditation of scores across test-taker populations, and possible impact of the e-TEP on the academic and professional trajectories of test-takers. Findings of this study indicate that the e-TEP holds promise in terms of promoting a significant shift in how the four skills of the English language are assessed in Türkiye and promoting more comprehensive, communicative assessment of four-skills ability.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• e-TEP
• four-skill assessment
• English proficiency assessment
• computer-based assessment
• test-taker perceptions
• washback

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