Article
The use of TOEFL to measure a chanf?;e in English proficiency
Working Papers on Language Acquisition and Education
(1999)
Abstract
This study investigates the use of TOEFL as an instrument for measuring change in English
language proficiency of graduate students at the International University of Japan. The data,
which was analyzed, included entry and exit TOEFL scores of 181 students who participated in
the nine-week Intensive English Program during one of the summers between 1994 and 1997.
The results suggest that TOEFL scores can be used to show a change in English language
proficiency for the students as a group, but should not be used to report to individual students a
change in proficiency. It is . argued that the results can be explained by the error of
measurement associated with TOEFL and a design which measures change in proficiency by
comparing pre-test and post-test scores.
Keywords
- assessment,
- TOEFL,
- language proficiency,
- SEM
Disciplines
Publication Date
1999
Publisher Statement
Copyright 1999 International University of Japan
Citation Information
Gary Ockey. "The use of TOEFL to measure a chanf?;e in English proficiency" Working Papers on Language Acquisition and Education Vol. 10 (1999) p. 1 - 12 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gary-ockey/13/