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The Evolving Concept of (Language) Assessment Literacy. Implications for Teacher Education
120-130Views:829Language teachers’ assessment knowledge and skills have received considerable attention from language assessment researchers over the past few decades (Davison & Leung, 2009; Hill & McNamara, 2012; Rea-Dickins, 2001; Taylor, 2013). This seems to be linked to the increased professionalism expected of them in classroom-based assessments. However, teachers seem to face a number of challenges, including how large-scale standardized language exams influence their classroom assessment practices. Teachers’ assessment literacy, therefore, needs to be examined in order to explain their assessment decisions. In this paper, we review the concept of (language) assessment literacy, how it has evolved and how it is conceptualized currently. Recent interpretations seem to reflect a multidimensional, dynamic and situated view of (language) assessment literacy. Implications for teacher education are also highlighted by presenting research findings from studies that explored teachers’ and teacher candidates’ assessment literacy in various educational contexts. As a result, we can identify some common patterns in classroom assessment practices as well as context-specific training needs. Finally, we make a recommendation for tackling some of the challenges language teachers are facing in relation to classroom-based assessment in the Hungarian context.
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State language and foreign language competence in minority schools: Social and institutional determinants of Ukrainian and English proficiency in Transcarpathia
17–27Views:28This study examines Ukrainian (state language) and English language performance among students attending Hungarian-medium schools in Transcarpathia within the context of post-2017 language-use restrictions. The empirical assessment conducted in spring 2024 involved 1,082 students in Grades 6 and 8 from 39 Hungarian-medium schools. English language competence was measured using standardized tests, while Ukrainian language proficiency was assessed through locally developed instruments. A background questionnaire collected data on students’ family background, socio-economic conditions, and linguistic environment. Regression analyses indicate that Ukrainian language performance is most strongly predicted by socio-economic status and type of settlement, highlighting the role of structural and environmental factors. In contrast, English language achievement is primarily shaped by individual academic indicators and institutional characteristics, with students attending church-maintained schools demonstrating significantly higher performance. In both languages, a strong association was found between subject grades and test results. The findings underscore that Ukrainian language competence is substantially influenced by structural disadvantages, whereas foreign language learning outcomes are more strongly supported by institutional culture and pedagogical coherence. The research highlights that Ukrainian language competence is influenced by structural disadvantages, while the effectiveness of foreign language learning can be strengthened by institutional culture and pedagogical coherence.
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Increasing Motivation among Language Learners through Individualized Assessment
1-13Views:438An extensive body of research has shown that motivation is integral to successful and sustained language learning (Carreira, 2005; Cheng & Dornyei, 2007; Crookes & Schmidt, 1991; Dornyei, 1994; Ehrman, Leaver, & Oxford, 2003; Gardner, 2005; Matsumoto & Obana, 2001; Yang, 2008; Yu & Watkins, 2008). Maintaining student motivation in all aspects of language instruction, particularly assessment, can be challenging for multiple reasons, including learner differences, access to technology, and, most recently, reactions to pandemic learning. Instructors therefore face the challenge of creating assessments that not only evaluate students’ performance but also promote their ability and desire to learn. Based on the results of an action research project, this article highlights the benefits of two types of individualized assessment used to improve students’ motivation while evaluating their performance: work cycle projects and a course portfolio. Using qualitative data collected from student reflective statements, I argue, first, that the ability to choose assessment topics and types motivates students to focus closely on course content and work creatively; these choices ultimately improve their desire to learn course material more than traditional assessment types. Second, encouraging learners to utilize and reflect on their strengths using a portfolio as a form of assessment allows students to understand their strengths and weaknesses and empowers them as learners, thereby improving their motivation.
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Emerging successes and persistent challenges in Hungarian minority education in Romania
48–60Views:20This study examines the early impacts of recent curriculum and examination reforms in Romanian minority education, focusing on the introduction of the “Romanian as a non-native language” curriculum for Hungarian-speaking students. Using aggregated national assessment and baccalaureate data from 2020–2025, the research analyzes trends in Romanian language performance among minority students, compares results across regions and school types, and uses mathematics performance as a comparative indicator to contextualize language-specific achievement patterns. Descriptive, cohort-comparative, and proportion-difference analyses, complemented by hypothetical “what-if” calculations, reveal that while a persistent 1.3–1.5 point gap remains between minority and majority students in Romanian language performance at the 8th-grade level, mathematics scores are nearly equivalent, indicating that the gap is linguistic rather than cognitive. In the 2025 baccalaureate – the first year of full curriculum implementation – pass rates improved notably in high-minority regions (e.g., Harghita +5.3 pp, Covasna +1.6 pp), alongside a significant reduction in failure rates, particularly in vocational and technical schools. The findings suggest that aligning examination content with a differentiated curriculum may be associated with more favorable educational outcomes among minority students, though effectiveness varies by region and school type. Sustainable gains require targeted teacher training, adequate resources, and systematic monitoring to address persistent structural and contextual disparities.
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Investigating the patterns of syntactic complexity predicting high-quality writing: a corpus-based study of the written text production at the B2+ English Language Exam at a Hungarian University
Views:172This pilot study explores the predictive role of syntactic complexity in assessing L2 writing proficiency, with a focus on its potential contribution to validating a high-stakes English language examination. Drawing on prior research that highlights the importance of syntactic complexity in writing evaluation, the study aims to identify specific syntactic measures that reliably distinguish between low-rated and high-rated L2 texts. The analysis is based on a corpus of written texts for the B2+ level for so-called 'Basic' English Language Examination (BLE) administered at a Hungarian university. Although labeled "Basic" the BLE represents a mandatory proficiency examination (B2+ level according to the CEFR) required for academic advancement. Rather than examining inter-rater reliability, the research centers on contribution to validation by investigating linguistic features associated with rated writing quality. Grades assigned by human raters were used solely to group texts and build the corpus for analysis. A total of 60 syntactic complexity indices were extracted using the Multidimensional Analysis Tagger (MAT) (Nini, 2019) and the Coh-Metrix 3.0 software package (Graesser, McNamara & Kulikowich, 2011). These indices include measures of clausal, phrasal, and overall structural complexity. The findings are expected to inform ongoing validation efforts for the BLE and contribute to more robust, evidence-based practices in L2 writing assessment by identifying linguistic patterns that correlate with writing proficiency.
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AI as a digital assistant in a multi-ethnic VET system: Evidence from the VETAssIst project in Serbia
28–36Views:27Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly framed as a lever for teaching efficiency in vocational education and training (VET), yet adoption is mediated by teachers’ linguistic and cultural contexts. This study, conducted within the VETAssIst project, compares AI‑related readiness and needs among VET teachers in Serbia across two cohorts working under the same national framework: Hungarian‑minority teachers in Vojvodina and Serbian‑majority teachers. Using a structured questionnaire, we examine perceived usefulness of AI as a ‘digital assistant’ for lesson planning, assessment, and administrative work, self‑reported digital competence, perceived institutional support, and readiness for integration. The evidence indicates broadly similar baseline competence across cohorts, strong intentions to expand classroom use, and uneven institutional backing. Recurrent requirements include VET‑specific AI tools, clearer school‑level policies, targeted professional development, and language‑accessible resources. We argue that sustainable digital transformation in multi‑ethnic VET systems depends on aligning tool ecosystems and professional learning with the linguistic diversity of the workforce, thereby preventing intra‑system digital divides.
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Assessing Language Learners’ Knowledge and Performance during Covid-19
38-46Views:523The new reality created by the COVID-19 caused a lot of changes in the educational sphere. The transition from face-to-face to distance learning was not smooth in Ukraine because distance learning was not a common practice in the country before and teachers were unprepared for teaching online. This unusual situation prompted us to start our qualitative research primarily to get insights into the altered daily routines of teachers and educators. In particular, we were interested in how they assessed their students’ performance online. This article focuses on secondary school language teachers (n=65) and language tutors at the tertiary level (n=18). The research findings have revealed that teachers gave feedback through different digital applications like Google Classroom. Oral performance was evaluated either synchronously or asynchronously. The most crucial implication is that teachers should improve and further develop their digital skills and distance teaching and assessing skills in order to provide quality education in the modern form.
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The impact of preparatory classes on future student performance: Competency assessment experiences of Hungarian students in Covasna County
37–47Views:25This study examines the impact of the introduction of the preparatory class (reception class) in Romania as an early educational intervention within the framework of school readiness and educational inequality theories. The analysis focuses on Hungarian-speaking students in Covasna County, specifically on the first cohort of fourth-grade students who had previously attended this educational stage. The research is based on a quantitative, full-sample design, including all 1,054 fourth-grade students enrolled in Hungarian-language education. The dataset combines questionnaire data with results from the 2016–2017 national competence assessments, providing a comprehensive overview of academic performance in reading, mathematics, and natural sciences. The study investigates the relationship between participation in the preparatory year, socio-economic background, and academic achievement. The findings reveal a statistically significant association between parental educational attainment, labour market status and student performance. The results indicate that students from families with higher levels of education and more stable employment are significantly more likely to achieve above-average results. This suggests that while the institutional framework is inclusive, family background remains a decisive factor in how effectively children can capitalize on this preparatory period. Furthermore, participation is clearly associated with higher academic outcomes: students who completed the preparatory year are significantly more likely to achieve better results across all three assessed competence domains compared to those who did not. Overall, the preparatory class contributes to reducing the risk of school failure, supporting a smoother transition from preschool to primary education, and lowering early school leaving risks. It provides an extended preparatory period that helps children adapt more effectively to a performance-oriented learning environment. The study highlights the effectiveness of this universal reform while noting that, despite its mandatory nature, it cannot entirely neutralize the reproduction of social inequalities. In conclusion, the preparatory class represents a significant educational policy reform that improves student outcomes and promotes equity, particularly in minority-language and socio-economically disadvantaged contexts.