Learners' self assessment of language skills

Abstract

Self-assessment is not a new concept to human beings but learners were rarely asked to assess their own performance. In the last decade, however, with the increased attention to learner -centered curriculum, learner autonomy, self access centres, the issue of self assessment has become of particular interest to language testers (Oscarsson 1984). Self-assessment is now beginning to be realized as a valid and meaningful tool to measure students' language performance. Research studies have confirmed emerging pattern of consistent, overall high correlations between self assessment results and ratings based on a variety of external measures (Oscarsson 1997; Coombe 1992). Using the results of a pilot survey carried out as part of an IRPA project which aims to develop autonomous learning programmes for literature and language students, we will provide insights into learners own perception of their language abilities. This study therefore has implications on the way we instill the practice of learner autonomy within the context of Malaysian nationhood.