English Language Journal Vol 4, (2011) 75-98 ISSN 1823 6820

Problems Encountered by ESL Teachers in the Implementation of School-Based Assessment of English Language in Malaysian Secondary Schools
Normah binti Othman Universiti Malaysia Pahang Leela Chakrabarty Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

ABSTRACT A survey in the form of open-ended questionnaire was conducted to find out ESL teachers opinions, needs, and problems in regard to the implementation of school-based assessment of Oral English, and also other skills in English Language. Two interview sessions were also conducted to find out three education officers views about the implementation of school-based assessment of ESL. The questionnaire was sent to secondary school ESL teachers throughout the country, excluding Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan (no permission was obtained from Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan), and 1170 ESL teachers responded to the questionnaire. The results show that these teachers encountered many problems with the implementation of the school-based assessment of Oral English. The teachers agree that other skills in English Language can be implemented as school-based assessment too, but they gave some insightful suggestions. The interview sessions with the three education officers reveal some beneficial information about the progress of the implementation of school-based assessment in Malaysian secondary schools, as well as primary schools. The interview sessions also give some beneficial information about school-based assessment in a few foreign countries that the interviewees had visited before. Keyword School-Based Assessment, English as a Second Language, ESL Teachers
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