Factors Affecting Exam Completion Speed, Exam Performance, and Nonexam Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Burnham ◽  
Igor Makienko
Keyword(s):  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Exam Performance ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Test Taking Strategy

This study investigates how factors such as student achievement goals for a course, language skills, outside work commitments, and test anxiety are related to performance on multiple-choice exams and nonexam assignments. The study also explores whether these factors explain the time taken to complete exams and whether exam completion speed is related to exam performance. We find that exam performance is negatively related to test anxiety and avoidance goals and positively related to study effort, performance approach goals, and English language skills. Performance on nonexam assignments is positively related to performance approach goals and a review-oriented test-taking strategy and related in an inverted U-shaped relationship to outside employment. Overall, the results suggest that students who are motivated to get good grades do the best—not those most engaged in the course or those interested in mastering the subject. Students who take longer to complete multiple-choice exams tend to be those who have weaker language skills, those with more test anxiety and those who utilize a review-oriented test-taking strategy. However, exam-taking speed is best viewed as a symptom of these factors; it is not related to exam performance when controlling for those factors.

scholarly journals Intelligibility in English as a lingua franca – The interpreters’ perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-193
Author(s):  
Karin Reithofer
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Background Knowledge ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Specialist Knowledge ◽  
Written Questions ◽  
Subordinate Role

AbstractThis article aims at examining the topic of ELF intelligibility from the interpreters’ perspective. Therefore, the focus is put on listener factors affecting intelligibility in settings typical for interpreting i.e. monologic settings. Data from various intelligibility studies are compared with results from a study that tested an ELF user’s intelligibility in a conference-like ELF setting and examined the influence of listener variables such as background knowledge, familiarity with ELF use or proficiency in English. In this study, an Italian speaker gave an impromptu speech in English to participants who subsequently were asked to answer written questions on the topic. The results showed that listeners with more experience in ELF settings reached the highest score in the test, while participants with specialist knowledge were unable to profit from it. The participants’ English language skills played a rather subordinate role. The findings of this study may prove useful for considerations in interpreter training and can contribute to the development of concrete, evidence-based training methods for interpreters in the interpreting sub-skill of comprehension.

scholarly journals Test anxiety among English language learners: A case of vocabulary testing using multiple-choice items and error identification tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasin Khoshhal
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
High Stake ◽  
Error Identification ◽  
Multiple Choice Items ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. This study sought to discern the impact of test anxiety on English language learners’ test performance. Method. Fifty female learners at intermediate and upper-intermediate levels of English were divided into two groups – Multiple-Choice (MC) and Error Identification (EI) – according to their scores in vocabulary tests given in the pre-treatment phase. A questionnaire was then administered to assess the level of anxiety brought about by these tests. During a 20-week period the EI group received lesson plans designed based on error-identification activities, while the MC group was offered instructions including multiple-choice items. After the treatment, the same tests and questionnaire were administered. Results and Discussion. The findings showed that the level of test anxiety was higher in the EI group compared with the MC group. The positive role of familiarization and the negative impact of debilitative anxiety were observed through this study. The findings of the current study can be transferred to other high-stake proficiency tests.

scholarly journals Test Anxiety: A Case of ESL Vocabulary Testing Using Multiple-Choice Items and Error Identification Tests

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
English Language ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Test Phase ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Error Identification ◽  
The Impact

The current study seeks to discern the impact of test anxiety on English language students’ test performance. The major instruments which helped gathering data were two different formats of vocabulary test and a questionnaire survey which identified the level of anxiety. Participants were fifty female English language learners who were studying at intermediate and upper-intermediate levels of English. These students were grouped into two groups of MC and EI according to their scores in the examinations they were given in the pre-test phase, multiple-choice test and error identification test. The survey after the pre-test indicated the level of anxiety these tests have brought. During a span of twenty-week period students received different teaching plans respectively. The same tests in pre-test were administered in the post-test phase and the questionnaire illustrated the level of anxiety after each student has received particular treatment. The findings showed that the level of test anxiety is higher in the group which received and tested on error identification format of vocabulary knowledge test. This increase of test anxiety was by definition significant in comparison with the other group, MC. The other important part of this study was coming to this conclusion that while students were given their particular teaching plans, debilitative anxiety still impedes them from having a strong and high performance which in turn needs more considerations from their teachers and examiners.

scholarly journals Efforts to Improve English Speaking Ability of Five to Six-Years-Old Bilingual School Students Through Hand Puppet Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-59
Author(s):  
Nila Fitria ◽  
Atria Farastiwi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
School Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Research Results ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Bilingual Schools ◽  
Bilingual School ◽  
English Language Skills

This classroom action research was motivated by the five to six-year-old students’ low English speaking ability in bilingual schools, especially in pronouncing, adding vocabulary, and forming sentences. This research aims to improve the English language skills of five to six-year-old students using hand puppets. This research was conducted from April 9 to May 4, 2018, at the TK IT Al Ikhlas Islamic Bilingual School by employing Kemmis's and Mc Taggart’s model in two cycles with three meetings each. The subjects of this research consisted of twelve students (seven males and five females). Based on the research results, there was an increase in English language skills through hand puppet media. In conclusion, the factors affecting students’ English speaking skills are familiar vocabulary, clear and easy to imitate teacher's pronunciation, exciting and varied media, and opportunities for them to use hand puppets while imitating the teacher. The researchers concluded that the hand puppet media could improve the five to six-year-old students' language skills.

scholarly journals The relationships between the 3 × 2 achievement goal model and test anxiety in Physical Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2097132
Author(s):  
Sarah Danthony ◽  
Nicolas Mascret ◽  
François Cury
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Achievement Goals ◽  
Achievement Goal ◽  
Goal Model ◽  
General Test ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Avoidance Goals ◽  
Negative Factors

The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive role of the 3 × 2 achievement goal model on test anxiety in the specific context of Physical Education (PE). Four hundred and eighty-six French students (mean age = 15.83, standard deviation = 1.20) voluntarily and anonymously filled out the Revised Test Anxiety and Regulatory Dimension of Anxiety in Physical Education scale (RTAR-PE) assessing test anxiety in PE and the Achievement Goal Questionnaire for Sport (AGQ-S) assessing the six achievement goals. The results showed that task-avoidance and self-avoidance goals positively predicted the four negative factors of test anxiety (worry, self-focus, bodily symptoms, somatic tension), while task-approach and self-approach goals negatively predicted them. It was the opposite for perceived control, which is the positive factor of test anxiety. Contrary to academic general test anxiety, other-avoidance goals did not positively predict the negative factors of test anxiety in the PE context, but they negatively predicted perceived control. The previous pattern of results was reversed for task-approach, self-approach, and other-approach goals. Finally, a significant interaction was found between other-avoidance goals and gender in predicting bodily symptoms, but simple slope analyses did not reveal significant findings. Taking students’ psychological characteristics into account, such as achievement goals, may contribute to a better understanding of test anxiety in PE.

scholarly journals Peningkatan Keterampilan Bahasa Inggris untuk Hiburan melalui Modul Pembelajaran Teks Narrative Berbentuk Fabel

MANAZHIM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-272
Author(s):  
Tri Wahyuningsih
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Narrative Text ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Text Learning ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Learning Module ◽  
Level 2

The need for interactive and meaningful distance learning in English lessons is needed to improve students English skills including language skills and formative test-taking skills. This is done by the author through the use of interesting modules or for entertainment for students by utilizing narrative text material in the form of fables. The research method used is descriptive research on 32 students of class XI IPA 2 as a sample of research conducted at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Taman. The results obtained in the form of observations of the achievement of English language skills including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, understanding are included in the intermediate or intermediate category with an average score of 2, 05. In addition, the students' English skills were also seen from the learning outcomes test data where the percentage of success of students who scored above the KKM (75) was 87.5%, namely 28 students while those who scored below the KKM were 4 students. The conclusion of this study is the achievement of students' English skills after using the narrative text learning module in the form of fables is included in the medium or intermediate category/level 2+ and the percentage of success of formative tests above the KKM is 87.5%.

British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
English For Academic Purposes ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Teaching Principles

English for Academic Purposes course focusing on the academic language needs of students is a subfield of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It is a type of specialized course to integrate specific subject matter, language content, and material based on learners’ needs. The study aims to evaluate the British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursebook in terms of content, sequencing, learners’ autonomy, motivation, feedback and focus on language skills. Furthermore, the study tries to provide a general perception of the usefulness and effectiveness of the coursebook for undergraduate students. The EAP Students’ Manual coursebook is used as a primary source for the data collection. The researcher has chosen Nation & Macalister (2010) model of language teaching principles to analyze and discuss the data. The study found the coursebook a useful, effective and an appropriate source of English language learning in terms of the investigated aspects of the book. The findings report that the coursebook provides practice and practical usage in all domains of the academically required English language skills. It helps the students to build language competency and to be more independent learners. In addition, it provides an opportunity to the learners to think in the target language, use the language more practically and learn it in a natural type of environment. The study concludes and suggests that the content needs to be supplemented with English language audios and videos presenting the students relevant documentaries and helping material in order to make the coursebook and the learning process more useful, effective, interesting and motivating. Furthermore, the study recommends that while choosing /designing a coursebook for a certain course, it needs to be evaluated following the various criteria and language-teaching-principles suggested by different language researchers.

British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Students’ Manual: A Critical Analysis of the Coursebook Taught at Pakistani Universities

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
English For Academic Purposes ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Teaching Principles ◽  
Language Needs

English for Academic Purposes course focusing on the academic language needs of students is a subfield of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). It is a type of specialized course to integrate specific subject matter, language content, and material based on learners’ needs. The study aims to evaluate the British Council’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursebook in terms of content, sequencing, learners’ autonomy, motivation, feedback and focus on language skills. Furthermore, the study tries to provide a general perception of the usefulness and effectiveness of the coursebook for undergraduate students. The EAP Students’ Manual coursebook is used as a primary source for the data collection. The researcher has chosen Nation & Macalister (2010) model of language teaching principles to analyze and discuss the data. The study found the coursebook a useful, effective and an appropriate source of English language learning in terms of the investigated aspects of the book. The findings report that the coursebook provides practice and practical usage in all domains of the academically required English language skills. It helps the students to build language competency and to be more independent learners. In addition, it provides an opportunity to the learners to think in the target language, use the language more practically and learn it in a natural type of environment. The study concludes and suggests that the content needs to be supplemented with English language audios and videos presenting the students relevant documentaries and helping material in order to make the coursebook and the learning process more useful, effective, interesting and motivating. Furthermore, the study recommends that while choosing /designing a coursebook for a certain course, it needs to be evaluated following the various criteria and language-teaching-principles suggested by different language researchers.

Tauchnitz for Translators. The Circulation of English-language Literature in Finland

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 161-179
Author(s):  
Outi Paloposki
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Book History ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Book Production ◽  
German Publisher ◽  
Language Literature ◽  
Selection Of

The article looks at book production and circulation from the point of view of translators, who, as purchasers and readers of foreign-language books, are an important mediating force in the selection of literature for translation. Taking the German publisher Tauchnitz's series ‘Collection of British Authors’ and its circulation in Finland in the nineteenth and early twentieth century as a case in point, the article argues that the increased availability of English-language books facilitated the acquiring and honing of translators' language skills and gradually diminished the need for indirect translating. Book history and translation studies meet here in an examination of the role of the Collection in Finnish translators' work.

Improving English L2 Writing in Web Communication: Can Peer Feedback Help?

Fachsprache ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 94-121
Author(s):  
Marian Flanagan ◽  
Carmen Heine
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Peer Feedback ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Teacher Feedback ◽  
Written Feedback ◽  
Feedback Process ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Web Communication

As teachers of English as a second language (L2) in web communication, our aim is to help L2 students improve their spoken and written English language skills. Teacher feedback has been shown to do this in some cases. However, only using teacher feedback can put huge pressure on the teacher, both in terms of time and resources. This paper describes and discusses our attempt at introducing peer feedback as an additional way of providing students with feedback on their English writing. Before conducting this study, we did not know if peer feedback would be feasible in our teaching environment or whether it would benefit the students and teachers. Our aim was to establish a status quo of our students’ abilities in providing and implementing peer feedback. We introduced peer-feedback tasks and focused on the types of feedback provided by the students, the phrasing of the feedback, both when implemented and not implemented by the students, and the types of revisions made by the students. Our findings allowed us to develop peer-feedback process guidelines for web communication as a way towards improving written feedback processes in higher education, and hopefully for others to adapt and implement in their own communication classrooms.

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