Assessment in Thai ELT: What do Teachers Do, Why, and How can Practices Be Improved?

Main Article Content

Richard Watson Todd
Duangjaichanok Pansa
Natjiree Jaturapitakkul
Nawiya Chanchula
Punjaporn Pojanapunya
Saowaluck Tepsuriwong
Stuart G. Towns
Wannapa Trakulkasemsuk

Abstract

English language education in Thailand is rated poorly internationally and needs improvement. Research identifying the reasons for the l highlights assessment as a key concern since assessment has washback effects on learning. However, little is known about the assessment practices teachers use. This paper has three goals: to identify the assessment practices used, to identify the reasons underlying teachers’ decisions about assessment, and to promote assessment practices likely to have positive washback. A survey of 329 teachers found that two-thirds of students’ scores came from tests, but that all teachers used some form of continuous assessment. From interviews with 29 teachers, teachers used tests to reduce their workload and to prepare students for the national ONET exams, while using continuous assessment to motivate students and to prepare them for real-world uses of English. Based on evidence that continuous assessment is more likely to promote positive washback, 303 assessment activities designed by teachers were analyzed for potential benefits. Rating the activities on five criteria, 39 assessment activities with potential positive washback were identified, designed into attractive formats, and disseminated to teachers. Using these activities with positive washback is likely to have beneficial effects on English language education in Thailand.

Article Details

How to Cite
Todd, R. W. ., Pansa, D. ., Jaturapitakkul, N., Chanchula, N., Pojanapunya, P., Tepsuriwong, S., Towns, S. G. ., & Trakulkasemsuk, W. (2021). Assessment in Thai ELT: What do Teachers Do, Why, and How can Practices Be Improved?. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 14(2), 627–649. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/253377
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Richard Watson Todd, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (SoLA, KMUTT).

Duangjaichanok Pansa, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

A teacher in SoLA, KMUTT.

Natjiree Jaturapitakkul, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Assessment and Evaluation in SoLA, KMUTT.

Nawiya Chanchula, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

A teacher in SoLA, KMUTT.

Punjaporn Pojanapunya, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Assistant Professor and a researcher in SoLA, KMUTT.

Saowaluck Tepsuriwong, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Assistant Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance in SoLA, KMUTT.

Stuart G. Towns, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

A teacher in SoLA, KMUTT.

Wannapa Trakulkasemsuk, Department of Language Studies, School of Liberal Arts, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Language Studies, SoLA, KMUTT.

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