초등학교 영어 어휘 시험의 급수 분류 타당성에 관한 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the validity of English vocabulary level tests for elementary students. This study attempts to explore the following questions: 1. Are the essential words for vocabulary level tests included in the basic vocabulary list for elementary schools? 2. How do English teachers classify the essential words of the tests into two levels? Essential vocabulary level tests have been conducted for 5th to 9th grade students in Busan since 2009. There are 149 words in Level 9 for 5th grade students, and 197 words in Level 8 for 6th grade students. These words were compared to the vocabulary list in the national curriculum, and 10 teachers were asked to classify the target words in two distinct groups. In Level 9, four words are not included in the basic vocabulary for elementary schools. These words account for 2.68% of Level 9. In Level 8, there are 31 words that are not included in the basic vocabulary for elementary schools. These words account for 15.73% of Level 8. Thus the vocabulary level tests contain a total of 35 words (10.12% of essential words for vocabulary level tests) not included in the curriculum for elementary schools. The example sentences for essential words contain forty three words that are not used in the basic vocabulary list for elementary schools. In order to research how English teachers classify the essential words into 2 levels, a random sampling was selected from the essential words for the elementary level. Thirty words were selected from each levels. Ten English teachers classified 60 words into 2 levels. More than 70% of the selected teachers classified 31.67% of these words into the original levels. Over 70% of the selected teachers classified 36.67% of 60 words into the opposite levels. The rest of the words lacked coherence for classification. The findings of this study indicate that the distinction of English vocabulary level tests for elementary students lacks validity. It is apparent that a better method of the classification of English vocabulary level tests must be devised. The essential words for elementary schools have to be properly selected and utilized in the elementary curriculum. This would help improve the quality of English education.