Alternative assessment techniques for online English Language Learning

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some challenges in the teaching-learning process due to the sudden shift from face-to-face classes into online ones. This research aimed to determine the influence of alternative assessment techniques on the online English language learning in eighth year of Basic Education during the 2021-2022 school year. First, the alternative assessment techniques that are suitable to online learning were theoretically analyzed. Then, an intervention proposal that included alternative assessment techniques to online learning was designed which mainly contained class plans to improve English for speaking skills. Third, the students’ performance before and after a classroom treatment based on alternative assessment to enhance the students’ English language learning was assessed. The research group consisted of 52 students who attended to eighth grade of basic education. They were divided into two groups: 25 students in the experimental group; and, 27 who constituted the control group. This research had an exploratory and quasi-experimental design. Two instruments were used for the data collection process. First, the KET for schools (speaking part) as the pre and post-test was taken by the students during the classroom intervention. It was carried out in the classroom for eight weeks where two portfolios were collected from the students, one at the beginning and other at the end. To obtain the quantitative data from the student portfolio and the speaking part of the KET exam, two different rubrics were used, which were tabulated and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The statistical analysis yielded data that made possible to determine that the alternative assessment techniques favorably affect the learning of the English Language of eighth grade students. Therefore, it is suggested that this research could be socialized mainly to put alternative assessment into practice in the classroom, which would contribute to the secondary education of the country.