Students’ Experiences of Summative Oral Assessment. An Investigative Mixed-Method Study of Swedish Upper Secondary School Students’ Experiences

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant emphasis on assessment for learning and formative assessment in pedagogical contexts, often overshadowing the importance of summative assessment. However, summative assessment remains a vital part of the English learning classroom and our school system. Yet, it has received an unjustified bad reputation. Additionally, foreign language anxiety can complicate the assessment of speaking ability. Given the lack of research on students’ perspectives of summative assessment, understanding their experiences of oral summative assessment is of significance to review in-depth. This study explored students’ past experiences of oral examinations through questionnaires and interviews, conducted with three classes at an upper secondary school in Sweden. Participants answered questions regarding how different oral assessment examinations affected their feelings, how their feelings affected their performance, and whether their speaking ability was accurately reflected. The findings indicate that EFL learners often experience nervousness, stress, and discomfort during oral examinations, with some reporting anxiety. Speeches, debates, and oral presentations had the most negative impact on participants’ feelings. Conversely, conversations and digital examinations were perceived as encompassing less pressure. Factors such as discomfort with conversation partners or speaking in front of a large audience negatively affected students during oral examinations. Increased practice and exposure to oral examinations were identified as potential strategies to help students overcome their negative feelings. It is concluded that teachers should carefully consider how to implement various oral assessment methods without compromising validity and reliability. Emphasizing a supportive learning environment where students feel secure expressing themselves in English is crucial.