Elizabeth Hiser | Massey University (original) (raw)
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![Research paper thumbnail of TESOLANZ 2009 [Special Issue on Reading]. C-Tests: An Amazing Assessment Tool](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/46847362/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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This article will focus on affect in second language acquisition (SLA). The article begins with a... more This article will focus on affect in second language acquisition (SLA). The article begins with a review of the literature focusing on affect in first language studies attempting to define different factors of affect since the term is an umbrella for a wide range of behaviour constructs that have been long noted in educational psychology research and psychometric studies in areas such as cognitive style, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, motivation, anxiety, self-efficacy, locus of control, learning style, empathy/indifference, learned helplessness, value or belief systems, locus of causality, extro-introversion, flexibility/rigidity, neuroticism/well-being, aggression/passivity, analytic/conceptual, detailed/holistic, thinking/feeling, judging/perceiving, sensing/intuiting, and emotionally stable/volatile. Cognitive theories and learning paradigms in first language studies support the idea that a student’s affective traits have a great input in the learning process. Base...
This paper focuses on the degree of difficulty of Science Research Associates (SRA) reading texts... more This paper focuses on the degree of difficulty of Science Research Associates (SRA) reading texts for ESL/EFL students in Japan. The SRA reading kits contain graded reading passages used extensively in teaching 'English as a first language' reading skills. These are sometimes used with ESL/EFL students as they present a systematic (graded) approach, inclusive of testing and self-access materials. The SRA reading kits have enjoyed a fair amount of success in 'English as a first language' classrooms, but seem problematic with ESL/EFL students. This study investigates the degree of difficulty for non-native speakers in Japan of the SRA materials tested and finds there to be great variation among the colour-coded SRA levels for them. It also evaluates the gain in reading ability for students in a combined extensive reading and SRA structured program over a six-month period.
This paper illustrates the process of developing an oral proficiency test using a procedure taken... more This paper illustrates the process of developing an oral proficiency test using a procedure taken from Carroll and Hall's (1985) practical guide to making language tests. The develop-ment generally follows the steps given, is piloted and then used in placing students in a four year English language program for international communication in Japan. The rationale for the structure of the test and guidelines for administering it are described in detail. The actual test that was developed proved to be not only valid and highly reliable but also more accurate than either the TOEFL or the Michigan Placement Test, Form A, in determining the communicative English language ability of the sample. Statistical analyses were used to support this argument and conclusion.
This paper analyses and presents the relationship between the Massey University ESOL Placement Te... more This paper analyses and presents the relationship between the Massey University ESOL Placement Test (MUPT) used at the centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), Massey University, and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) bands awarded the same students. It is a continuation of the investigation and development of the PaCE ESOL Placement Test. The scores between the five sections of the MUPT – reading, writing, speaking, listening and the C-Test – have been statistically correlated against the IELTS skill test bands. The results point to construct and criterion/ concurrent validity of the PaCE Placement Test in evaluating the overall proficiency level of applicants for streaming in the ESOL Programme and the real possibility of developing placement tests for specific programmes, which reflect the international norms of professionally standardised English language tests such as TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
The issue discussed in this paper is the loss of meaning for the expressionintelligence'. The... more The issue discussed in this paper is the loss of meaning for the expressionintelligence'. The term taken from everyday language has been applied to various psychological definitions, theories or psychometric tests across a period of time which has contributed to the corrosion in meaning of the original term. Attempts by science to isolate and identify the qualities or attrib- utes of intelligence have altered if not entirely destroyed the meaning of the expression. A brief review of the history of the modern investigation into intelligence is thereby presented.
Journal of Asian Pacific Communication, 2003
ABSTRACT This paper reports on a cross-cultural study comparing the lateralization preferences be... more ABSTRACT This paper reports on a cross-cultural study comparing the lateralization preferences between Japanese and American university students in Japan. The cross-cultural literature points to stereotypical descriptors which are similar to lateralization descriptors providing significant differences in content when investigated by survey among the two ethnic groups. Cultural descriptors for the two groups are defined and the issue of preference for statistical- vs. feeling-oriented support for controversial local issues is linked theoretically to the left vs. right hemisphere preferences, but proves of limited validity for the study. Final results for the Japanese sub-sample for lateralization preference (64%) show a tendency for right-hemisphere processing preference over an American left-hemisphere preference (65%) in the same area.
A quick review of the literature for C-Tests demonstrates the depth and breadth of use that this ... more A quick review of the literature for C-Tests demonstrates the depth and breadth of use that this type of assessment instrument holds. It's an invaluable tool that is easily created and can be analysed quickly for reliability and validity. Scoring the test is simple, fast and can be accomplished with a stencil if item analysis demonstrates better discrimination among some word choices than for others. It is so well conceived that it demonstrates at least fair or moderate (significant) relationships among all major English language skills, i.e. reading, grammar, listening, speaking, and vocabulary.
This paper will discuss cross cultural dining practices and environments using a comparison of A... more This paper will discuss cross cultural dining practices and environments using a comparison of Asian / Western cultural attitudes. Information on dining attitudes was taken from questionnaire responses in five distinct cultural areas; three Asian and two Western. The specific ethno-cultural areas surveyed were Japan, Britain, North America, China (Hong Kong), and Korea. The study received response from 24 Chinese (predominantly young women), 26 Japanese (predominantly middle age or elderly), 20 Americans, 10 British and 21 Koreans, for a total of 101 participants. The cultural breakdown on frequency showed the people who seem to dine out the most are the Americans and the Koreans, followed by the Chinese and the Japanese with the British being the nationality that reported dining out the least.
The context on the questionnaire was presented as dining out, either for business for social occasions. The business community was apparently not well represented in the sample which was somewhat disappointing, and no doubt would have provided different results. Given the wide range of possible dining situations, the focus of the study was narrowed to the quasi-formal occasion of dining out in contrast to dining at home. We chose to look at the differences between participants from various cultural backgrounds in the hope of elucidating areas where possible conflict might arise in cross cultural dining scenarios. However, we were surprised at the similarities we found.
Abstract: This paper reports on a project of writing a C-Test which would allow all students at D... more Abstract: This paper reports on a project of writing a C-Test which would allow all students at Doshisha University to fully demonstrate their English-language ability. Practical reasons in administering the new C-Test necessitated modifications of the C-Test procedure set forth by Raatz and Klein-Braley. The resulting “fixed-ratio” C-Test had three versions with the last half of every fifth or sixth word to be supplied by the test-taker. Evidence on inter-version equivalency is presented on the basis of pilot test results with some 200 students.
The purpose of this study is to investigate results from C-Tests given to EFL Vietnamese students... more The purpose of this study is to investigate results from C-Tests given to EFL Vietnamese students. C-Tests produce robust reliability and validity in most SLA studies. Three C-Tests that are in use at the centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), Massey University, New Zealand, were used as a basis for comparison to the Vietnamese sample here, as these tests have been trialled and revised using classical item analysis, reliability studies and concurrent/construct validity checks against IELTS or TOEIC scores in New Zealand, thereby considered reliable and valid for various Asian ethnic groups. The sample in New Zealand included predominantly Chinese, Arab and Japanese ESL students (Hiser, 2005). In spite of McBeath’s ‘word of warning’ (1989), the results have shown differences between the international groups but good reliability and results for use of these tests as general proficiency measures in ESL/EFL assessment across cultures. The findings from Hiser’s 2005 study allow users of the tests to add to the growing number of ethnic groups—Iranian, German, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Arab, Thai, Japanese, Hungarian, et all—for which they evaluate overall English proficiency validly, reliably, and efficiently, as the results here reporting on each of three C-Tests used on other ethnic groups, and now administered to a Vietnamese cohort, show.
This article will focus on affect in second language acquisition (SLA). The article begins with a... more This article will focus on affect in second language acquisition (SLA). The article begins with a review of the literature focusing on affect in first language studies attempting to define different factors of affect since the term is an umbrella for a wide range of behaviour constructs that have been long noted in educational psychology research and psychometric studies in areas such as cognitive style, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, motivation, anxiety, self-efficacy, locus of control, learning style, empathy/indifference, learned helplessness, value or belief systems, locus of causality, extro-introversion, flexibility/rigidity, neuroticism/well-being, aggression/passivity, analytic/conceptual, detailed/holistic, thinking/feeling, judging/perceiving, sensing/intuiting, and emotionally stable/volatile. Cognitive theories and learning paradigms in first language studies support the idea that a student’s affective traits have a great input in the learning process. Base...
This paper focuses on the degree of difficulty of Science Research Associates (SRA) reading texts... more This paper focuses on the degree of difficulty of Science Research Associates (SRA) reading texts for ESL/EFL students in Japan. The SRA reading kits contain graded reading passages used extensively in teaching 'English as a first language' reading skills. These are sometimes used with ESL/EFL students as they present a systematic (graded) approach, inclusive of testing and self-access materials. The SRA reading kits have enjoyed a fair amount of success in 'English as a first language' classrooms, but seem problematic with ESL/EFL students. This study investigates the degree of difficulty for non-native speakers in Japan of the SRA materials tested and finds there to be great variation among the colour-coded SRA levels for them. It also evaluates the gain in reading ability for students in a combined extensive reading and SRA structured program over a six-month period.
This paper illustrates the process of developing an oral proficiency test using a procedure taken... more This paper illustrates the process of developing an oral proficiency test using a procedure taken from Carroll and Hall's (1985) practical guide to making language tests. The develop-ment generally follows the steps given, is piloted and then used in placing students in a four year English language program for international communication in Japan. The rationale for the structure of the test and guidelines for administering it are described in detail. The actual test that was developed proved to be not only valid and highly reliable but also more accurate than either the TOEFL or the Michigan Placement Test, Form A, in determining the communicative English language ability of the sample. Statistical analyses were used to support this argument and conclusion.
This paper analyses and presents the relationship between the Massey University ESOL Placement Te... more This paper analyses and presents the relationship between the Massey University ESOL Placement Test (MUPT) used at the centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), Massey University, and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) bands awarded the same students. It is a continuation of the investigation and development of the PaCE ESOL Placement Test. The scores between the five sections of the MUPT – reading, writing, speaking, listening and the C-Test – have been statistically correlated against the IELTS skill test bands. The results point to construct and criterion/ concurrent validity of the PaCE Placement Test in evaluating the overall proficiency level of applicants for streaming in the ESOL Programme and the real possibility of developing placement tests for specific programmes, which reflect the international norms of professionally standardised English language tests such as TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
The issue discussed in this paper is the loss of meaning for the expressionintelligence'. The... more The issue discussed in this paper is the loss of meaning for the expressionintelligence'. The term taken from everyday language has been applied to various psychological definitions, theories or psychometric tests across a period of time which has contributed to the corrosion in meaning of the original term. Attempts by science to isolate and identify the qualities or attrib- utes of intelligence have altered if not entirely destroyed the meaning of the expression. A brief review of the history of the modern investigation into intelligence is thereby presented.
Journal of Asian Pacific Communication, 2003
ABSTRACT This paper reports on a cross-cultural study comparing the lateralization preferences be... more ABSTRACT This paper reports on a cross-cultural study comparing the lateralization preferences between Japanese and American university students in Japan. The cross-cultural literature points to stereotypical descriptors which are similar to lateralization descriptors providing significant differences in content when investigated by survey among the two ethnic groups. Cultural descriptors for the two groups are defined and the issue of preference for statistical- vs. feeling-oriented support for controversial local issues is linked theoretically to the left vs. right hemisphere preferences, but proves of limited validity for the study. Final results for the Japanese sub-sample for lateralization preference (64%) show a tendency for right-hemisphere processing preference over an American left-hemisphere preference (65%) in the same area.
A quick review of the literature for C-Tests demonstrates the depth and breadth of use that this ... more A quick review of the literature for C-Tests demonstrates the depth and breadth of use that this type of assessment instrument holds. It's an invaluable tool that is easily created and can be analysed quickly for reliability and validity. Scoring the test is simple, fast and can be accomplished with a stencil if item analysis demonstrates better discrimination among some word choices than for others. It is so well conceived that it demonstrates at least fair or moderate (significant) relationships among all major English language skills, i.e. reading, grammar, listening, speaking, and vocabulary.
This paper will discuss cross cultural dining practices and environments using a comparison of A... more This paper will discuss cross cultural dining practices and environments using a comparison of Asian / Western cultural attitudes. Information on dining attitudes was taken from questionnaire responses in five distinct cultural areas; three Asian and two Western. The specific ethno-cultural areas surveyed were Japan, Britain, North America, China (Hong Kong), and Korea. The study received response from 24 Chinese (predominantly young women), 26 Japanese (predominantly middle age or elderly), 20 Americans, 10 British and 21 Koreans, for a total of 101 participants. The cultural breakdown on frequency showed the people who seem to dine out the most are the Americans and the Koreans, followed by the Chinese and the Japanese with the British being the nationality that reported dining out the least.
The context on the questionnaire was presented as dining out, either for business for social occasions. The business community was apparently not well represented in the sample which was somewhat disappointing, and no doubt would have provided different results. Given the wide range of possible dining situations, the focus of the study was narrowed to the quasi-formal occasion of dining out in contrast to dining at home. We chose to look at the differences between participants from various cultural backgrounds in the hope of elucidating areas where possible conflict might arise in cross cultural dining scenarios. However, we were surprised at the similarities we found.
Abstract: This paper reports on a project of writing a C-Test which would allow all students at D... more Abstract: This paper reports on a project of writing a C-Test which would allow all students at Doshisha University to fully demonstrate their English-language ability. Practical reasons in administering the new C-Test necessitated modifications of the C-Test procedure set forth by Raatz and Klein-Braley. The resulting “fixed-ratio” C-Test had three versions with the last half of every fifth or sixth word to be supplied by the test-taker. Evidence on inter-version equivalency is presented on the basis of pilot test results with some 200 students.
The purpose of this study is to investigate results from C-Tests given to EFL Vietnamese students... more The purpose of this study is to investigate results from C-Tests given to EFL Vietnamese students. C-Tests produce robust reliability and validity in most SLA studies. Three C-Tests that are in use at the centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE), Massey University, New Zealand, were used as a basis for comparison to the Vietnamese sample here, as these tests have been trialled and revised using classical item analysis, reliability studies and concurrent/construct validity checks against IELTS or TOEIC scores in New Zealand, thereby considered reliable and valid for various Asian ethnic groups. The sample in New Zealand included predominantly Chinese, Arab and Japanese ESL students (Hiser, 2005). In spite of McBeath’s ‘word of warning’ (1989), the results have shown differences between the international groups but good reliability and results for use of these tests as general proficiency measures in ESL/EFL assessment across cultures. The findings from Hiser’s 2005 study allow users of the tests to add to the growing number of ethnic groups—Iranian, German, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Arab, Thai, Japanese, Hungarian, et all—for which they evaluate overall English proficiency validly, reliably, and efficiently, as the results here reporting on each of three C-Tests used on other ethnic groups, and now administered to a Vietnamese cohort, show.