An exploration of the LAL development of pre-service ESL teachers through the processes of item writing

Ho, Eric Chen Pei

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/105605 Copy

Description

Title

An exploration of the LAL development of pre-service ESL teachers through the processes of item writing

Author(s)

Ho, Eric Chen Pei

Issue Date

2019-06-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Yan, Xun

Committee Member(s)

Prior, Paul

Department of Study

Linguistics

Discipline

Teaching of English Sec Lang

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

TESOL, Language Assessment, Language Teacher Development

Abstract

Language assessment literacy (LAL) has been recognized as an important component of language teacher development. Traditionally, TESOL programs have addressed the need of LAL for language teachers through language assessment courses and formal instruction. Such methods have proven valuable in helping teachers develop the theoretical knowledge of assessments. However, it is unclear how such instruction addresses some practical aspects of test development competencies, which include item writing. The current study investigates the features and practices of item writing for an institutional English Placement Test in a university context, and explores the potential of the activities of item writing in developing LAL for pre-service teachers. Employing a thematic analysis and adopting a community of practice perspective, this study examined data from recorded group discussions of participants, individual interviews, and draft comments of test items. The results suggest the importance of collaboration as an important competency of LAL that was developed through item writers’ engagement through test development. Additionally, the study proposes the inclusion of content knowledge as a competency within the LAL framework. Finally, the potential of employing perspectives of genre studies in further research on item writing practices is discussed.

Graduation Semester

2019-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105605

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2019 Eric Ho

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