Full metadata
Title
Discourse markers as predictors of success for the TOEFL
Description
ABSTRACT The teaching of formulaic sequences (FSs) to improve speech fluency is a time honored tradition in the field of English as a Second Language (ESL). However, recent research seems to indicate that certain discourse markers, specifically transition and personal stance markers, are more useful than other FSs. This study is an attempt to partially replicate (on a very small scale) one of these studies to see if the findings are similar when the standardized test materials are from the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) rather than the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The hope is that teacher researchers could have access to readily available, standardized assessment materials with which to create their own research studies consisting of a standardized pretest and posttest. Four students of various levels in an Intensive English Program (IEP) were given a practice listening and speaking exam utilizing TOEFL preparation materials found online. The results were analyzed to see if there was a noticeable correlation between the use of the specified discourse markers on the speech portion of the test and the performance of the students on the listening portion of the test. The findings show some discrepancy between the two studies' results. It appears possible to have a high perceived fluency rate and still have a lower overall speaking fluency when taking into account listening comprehension and various other measures.
Date Created
2014
Contributors
- Nunn, Theda (Author)
- Renaud, Claire (Thesis advisor)
- Prior, Matthew T. (Committee member)
- James, Mark A (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
v, 48 p
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.25085
Statement of Responsibility
by Theda Nunn
Description Source
Retrieved on Aug. 12, 2014
Level of coding
full
Note
Partial requirement for: M.A., Arizona State University, 2014
Note type
thesis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-46)
Note type
bibliography
Field of study: English
System Created
- 2014-06-09 02:14:05
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:34:18
- 3 years ago
Additional Formats