Classroom Assessment Practices of the Secondary Level English Language Teachers

Abstract

Classroom assessment practices enhance students’ language learning by promoting learners’ engagement and connecting their theoretical knowledge with real-life situations. This study explores the classroom assessment practices of the secondary-level English language teachers. A qualitative research approach was employed under an interpretive research paradigm, applying semi-structured interviews guided by a set of interview guidelines. Participants included four secondary-level English teachers from four government-funded community schools in Taplejung, with more than 10 years of teaching experience. Using narrative inquiry as a research method, the information was collected, coded, and thematically analyzed to understand how the participants make meaning of their experiences with classroom assessment practices. The study found that the teachers perform classroom assessments; however, these assessments lack transparency and consistency. In addition, all four language skills are not equally emphasized during teaching and assessment. The teachers also encountered several challenges in the effective implementation of classroom assessment, including a large number of students, students’ irregular attendance, a lack of teachers’ authority to issue internal marks, and students’ low language proficiency. The findings suggest teacher training, workshops, and policy alignment to conduct the classroom assessment effectively.