AN ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS’ NEED FOR TESTING AND ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Learner needs analysis is widely considered a prerequisite for developing English language teaching materials. This study aims to identify the needs of English language education students concerning the "Testing and Assessment" subject, providing a practical foundation for developing course materials. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research utilized questionnaires and interviews to collect data from 100 third-year university students in Vietnam regarding their target needs, learning needs, and assessment competence. The data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics and qualitatively through thematic analysis. The results revealed that while students possessed a basic theoretical awareness, they demonstrated a deficiency in practical skills, specifically in designing test specifications and constructing test items aligned with the 6-level Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework. Furthermore, participants expressed a desire for the integration of technology-based assessment tools and the provision of localized, practical examples. These findings provide a crucial foundation for course material aimed at enhancing students' assessment literacy within the current educational context.