Helping Students Select Appropriately Challenging Text: Application to a Test of Second Language Reading Ability
- Author(s):
- Sheehan, Kathleen M.
- Publication Year:
- 2017
- Report Number:
- RR-17-33
- Source:
- ETS Research Report
- Document Type:
- Report
- Page Count:
- 19
- Subject/Key Words:
- Automated Scoring and Natural Language Processing English as a Second Language (ESL) English Language Learners (ELL) Lexile Measures Matching Criterion Model-Based Measurement Reading Ability Reading Comprehension Test Selection Text Complexity TextEvaluator TOEFL iBT
Abstract
A model-based approach for matching language learners to texts of appropriate difficulty is described. Results are communicated to test takers via a targeted reading range expressed on the reporting scale of an automated text complexity measurement tool (ATCMT). Test takers can use this feedback to select reading materials that are well matched to their abilities, that is, materials that are expected to be challenging, yet not so challenging as to cause frustration or reduce motivation. An application to the problem of helping students prepare to take the TOEFL iBT test is presented.
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- https://doi.org/10.1002/ets2.12160