An analysis of speaking assessment, teaching methods, and learner factors in the EFL university context

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26370738
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: International Christian University (2016-2017); University of the Sacred Heart (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Fujii Akiko 国際基督教大学, 教養学部, 准教授 (60365517)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 杉本 淳子 聖心女子大学, 文学部, 講師 (70407617) ; 渡邊 泉 (金泉) 国際基督教大学, 教養学部, 講師 (40365523) ; 稲垣 善律 津田塾大学, 学芸学部, 准教授 (50433909) ; 大畑 甲太 フェリス女学院大学, 文学部, 教授 (00407181) ; 飯野 厚 法政大学, 経済学部, 教授 (80442169)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: スピーキング / 言語テスト / モティベーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The current study focused on the role of speaking assessment in university level English language learning in Japan. Results indicated that both the TOEFL format and IELTS format both led to similar assessment of speaking proficiency. More interesting was the effect of speaking assessment on student motivation. Therefore, a follow-up study was conducted investigating the effect of two speaking assessments (ACTFL OPI) over a 7-month period. Results indicated that assessment helped to maintain motivation and also positively affected learners’ goal-setting and study behavior. Finally, speaking assessment was not able to capture proficiency gains from a 10-week weekly task-based speaking practice using web conferencing, although analysis of learner interactions indicated positive change in willingness to communicate and use of learning opportunities.

Free Research Field

英語教育