Examination of CEFR-J spoken interaction tasks using many-facet Rasch measurement and generalizability theory
Rie Koizumi, Juntendo University, Chiba
Emiko Kaneko, University of Aizu, Fukushima, Japan
Eric Setoguchi, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Yo In’nami, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
Naoyuki Naganuma, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
https://doi.org/10.58379/BSWY7332
Volume 8, Issue 2, 2019
Abstract: Attempts are underway to develop prototype tasks, based on a Japanese version of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR; Council of Europe, 2001; CEFR-J; Negishi, Takada, & Tono, 2013). As part of this larger project, the current paper reports on the creation of spoken interaction tasks for five levels (Pre-A1, A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, and A2.1). Tasks were undertaken by 66 Japanese university students. Two raters evaluated their interactions using a three-level holistic rating scale, and 20% of the performances were double rated. The spoken ratings were analysed using many-facet Rasch measurement (MFRM) and generalizability theory (G-theory). MFRM showed that all the tasks fit the Rasch model well, the scale functioned satisfactorily, and the difficulty of the tasks generally concurred with CEFR-J levels. Results from G-theory that employed the p x t design, including tasks as a facet, showed the different proportion of variance accounted for by tasks, as well as the number of tasks that could be required to ensure sufficiently high reliability. The MFRM and Gtheory results effectively revealed areas for improving spoken interaction tasks; the results also showed the usefulness of combining the two methods for task development and revision.
Keywords: CEFR-J, generalizability theory, many-facet Rasch measurement, spoken interaction