چکیده:
The purpose of this research was to analyze EFL writing
tasks in the most popular ESOL (English for Speakers of
Other Languages) exam preparation courses in Iran: IELTS,
TOEFL, FCE and CAE. Having collected the criteria of
writing task appropriateness in light of the process-oriented
approach to writing instruction, 114 learner participants
were asked to rate EFL writing tasks based on a checklist
previously gathered and validated. An observation process
was conducted of the task performance followed by an
interview with teachers about the nature of these courses
and learners’ motivation. According to the learners’ primary
needs and goals, the four types of courses were initially
divided into two groups: Group-1 (IELTS/TOEFL) and
Group-2 (FCE/CAE). The independent-sample t-test was
employed to compare the mean scores of ratings for all
items of the checklist once between IELTS and TOEFL
courses in Group 1 and once between FCE and CAE in
Group 2. Significant differences were obtained especially
related to the quality of writing procedures.
خلاصه ماشینی:
"This information provided further acquaintance with the participants’ motivation in these preparatory courses which helped us to categorize the four types of preparation courses into two major groups: Group 1 consisting of IELTS and TOEFL courses that learners attend in order to get prepared for the real exam which is usually several months ahead, and Group 2 including FCE and CAE courses where the majority of learners aim to improve their general knowledge of English language.
5. Conclusion, Implications & Suggestions The primary goal behind conducting this research was to evaluate EFL writing tasks in ESOL exam preparation courses.
Besides, the checklist can be employed by any EFL writing instructor to evaluate the tasks s/he is assigning to the students in class (not necessarily ESOL preparatory courses) or even in designing new tasks which could be better fitted with the students’ needs, proficiency level, available time and other relevant factors.
Mean SD t-value df Sig (2- tailed) p 8 (View the image of this page) Appendix A Evaluation Checklist of EFL/ESL writing tasks (Students’ version) Ratings The course: IELTS O TOEFL O FCE O CAE O Age: ……… Sex: MALE O FEMALE O Not at all (0) A Little (2) Adequately (4) To a Great Extent (6) Task Prompt A.
0 2 4 6 11 Evaluation Checklist of EFL/ESL writing tasks (Students’ version) Ratings The course: IELTS O TOEFL O FCE O CAE O Age: ……… Sex: MALE O FEMALE O Not at all (0) A Little (2) Adequately (4) To a Great Extent (6) C."