Volume 7, Issue 1 (Journal of Studies in Applied Language (JSAL) 2024)                   JSAL 2024, 7(1): 1-22 | Back to browse issues page

XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Sari A, Alyousef H. (2024). The Use Of Engagement Esources In GCSE EFL And ESL Reading Exams: A Practical Application Of Appraisal Theory [In English]. JSAL. 7(1), 1-22.
URL: http://jsal.ierf.ir/article-1-103-en.html
1- PhD Student, Department of English Language and Literature Faculty of Arts, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2- Professor, Department of English Language and Literature Faculty of Arts, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , hesham.alyousef@gmail.com
Abstract:   (458 Views)
This paper illustrates the value of Engagement as a subsystem of Martin and White’s (2005) Appraisal framework in studies on IGCSE English reading assessments. The study focused on how IGCSE exam authors engage with their readers and how they construct and negotiate stances using evaluative language. The study used a mixed-method research design to examine engagement resources in four IGCSE EFL/ESL reading tests. Analysis of four IGCSE EFL and ESL reading tests using the Engagement system revealed that there are some different linguistic preferences among EFL and ESL exam makers. While both tests had a higher number of heteroglossic and ‘contractive’ resources, the manner in which these elements were distributed made a difference in serving each exam’s purpose and type of evaluation, i.e. the engagement feature was used in EFL texts to present a more challenging text while ESL texts were considered clearer. A thorough understanding of the underlying features of engagement can help learners distinguish creative positioning, assess the impact of linguistic choices, identify the goal of writing, and comprehend underlying ideologies and values. The comparison between ESL and EFL texts indicates that closer attention to authorial presence and to problems of voice negotiation through the study of engagement resources can help in preparing EFL and ESL IGCSE exam takers to solve more effectively and can enhance their text understanding and sharpen their critical reading skills.
Full-Text [PDF 425 kb]   (68 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Language Teaching
Received: 2023/12/5 | Accepted: 2024/03/15 | Published: 2024/03/15

References
1. Adler, M. J., & Van Doren, C. (2014). How to read a book: The classic guide to intelligent reading. Touchstone Press.
2. Alderson, J. C. (2000). Assessing reading. Cambridge University Press. [DOI:10.1017/CBO9780511732935]
3. Aljuraywi, J. A., & Alyousef, H. S. (2022). Attitude in political discourse: An Appraisal analysis of Attitude in Donald Trump and Joe Biden's interviews on 60 Minutes. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 18(3), 176-193. Retrieved from http://www.jlls.org/index.php/jlls/article/view/4678
4. Alyousef, H. S. (2005). "Teaching reading comprehension to ESL/EFL learners". The Reading Matrix, 5(2), 143-154. Retrieved from https://www.readingmatrix.com/articles/alyousef/article.pdf
5. Baghaei, S., Bagheri, M. S., & Yamini, M. (2020). "Analysis of IELTS and TOEFL reading and listening tests in terms of revised Bloom's taxonomy". Cogent Education, 7(1), 1720939. DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2020.1720939 [DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2020.1720939]
6. Bakhtin, M. M. (2010). The dialogic imagination: Four essays by M.M. Bakhtin (Vol. 1). University of Texas Press.
7. Coffin, C. (2004). "Arguing about how the world is or how the world should be: The role of argument in IELTS tests". Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 3(3), 229-246. DOI: 10.1016/j.jeap.2003.11.002 [DOI:10.1016/j.jeap.2003.11.002]
8. Cox, M. (2018). Cambridge IGCSE® first language English coursebook. Cambridge University Press.
9. Eggins, S. (2004). An introduction to systemic functional linguistics (2nd. ed.). Continuum.
10. Firoozi, F. (2021). "Mokken scale analysis of the reading comprehension section of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)". International Journal of Language Testing, 11(2), 91-108.
11. Fryer, D. L. (2013). Exploring the dialogism of academic discourse: Heteroglossic engagement in medical research articles. In G. Andersen & K. Bech (Eds.), English corpus linguistics: Variation in time, space and genre (pp. 183-207). Brill. [DOI:10.1163/9789401209403_011]
12. Geng, Y., & Wharton, S. (2016). "Evaluative language in discussion sections of doctoral theses: Similarities and differences between L1 Chinese and L1 English writers". Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 22, 80-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.jeap.2016.01.001 [DOI:10.1016/j.jeap.2016.01.001]
13. Ha, H. T., Le, H. T., Phung, D. H., & Nguyen, S. D. (2022). "Is "general" easier than "academic"? A corpus-based investigation into the two modules of IELTS reading test". SN Social Sciences, 2(8), 159. DOI: 10.1007/s43545-022-00461-1 [DOI:10.1007/s43545-022-00461-1]
14. Hall, C., & Sheyholislami, J. (2013). "Using appraisal theory to understand rater values: An examination of rater comments on ESL test essays". Journal of Writing Assessment, 6(1).
15. Halliday, M. A. K. (2014). Introduction to functional grammar. Revised by Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen, 4th edition, Taylor & Francis. [DOI:10.4324/9780203783771]
16. Haromi, F. A. (2014). "Teaching through appraisal: Developing critical reading in Iranian EFL learners". Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 98(6), 127-136. DOI: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.398 [DOI:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.398]
17. Ho, V. L. (2011). Non-native argumentative writing by Vietnamese learners of English: A contrastive study. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Georgetown University.
18. Hunston, S. (2011). Corpus approaches to evaluation: Phraseology and evaluative language (Vol. 13). Routledge. [DOI:10.4324/9780203841686]
19. Ivanova, R., & Ivanov, A. (2021). "Online reading skills as an object of testing in international English exams (IELTS, TOEFL, CAE)". International Journal of Instruction, 14(4), 713-732. DOI: 10.29333/iji.2021.14441a [DOI:10.29333/iji.2021.14441a]
20. Jirasataporn, N., & Hiranburana, K. (2018). Scaffolding students' critical reading ability through appraisal theory. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Applied Liberal Arts (ICAA2019), Bangkok, Thailand.
21. Kaneko, M. (2020). "Lexical frequency profiling of high-stakes English tests text coverage of Cambridge First, EIKEN, GTEC, IELTS, TEAP, TOEFL, and TOEIC". JACET Journal, 64, 79-93. DOI: 10.32234/jacetjournal.64.0_79
22. Krishnan, K. S. D. (2011). "Careful versus expeditious reading: The case of the IELTS reading test". Academic Research International, 1(3), 25-35.
23. Leadership, E. (2017). "Cambridge Assessment International Education". Retrieved from https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-upper-secondary/
24. Liu, X. (2010). "An application of appraisal theory to teaching college English reading in China". Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 1(2), 133-135. DOI: 10.4304/jltr.1.2.133-135 [DOI:10.4304/jltr.1.2.133-135]
25. Martin, J. R. (2000). Beyond exchange: Appraisal systems in English. Oxford University Press. [DOI:10.1093/oso/9780198238546.003.0008]
26. Martin, J. R., & Rose, D. (2008). Working with discourse: Meaning beyond the clause. Continuum.
27. Martin, J. R., & White, P. (2005). The Language of Evaluation: Appraisal in English. Palgrave Macmillan.
28. O'Donnell, M. (2011). "UAM Corpus Tool (3.3 & 6). 3.3x, 6". Retrieved from http://www.corpustool.com/index.html
29. Perales-Escudero, M. D. (2018). "Systemic-functional linguistics (SFL) and its applications in ELT". MEXTESOL Journal, 42(2), 1-2.
30. Ruo-mei, W. (2016). "A practical application of appraisal theory on critical reading in college English teaching". US-China Foreign Language, 14(12), 868-876. DOI: 10.17265/1539-8080/2016.12.007 [DOI:10.17265/1539-8080/2016.12.007]
31. Shi, Y., & Liu, X. (2016). "Recontextualizing writing proficiency: An investigation of model argumentation texts for IELTS preparation". TESOL International Journal, 11(2), 57-69.
32. Swain, E. (2007). "Constructing an effective 'voice' in academic discussion writing: An appraisal theory perspective". In A. McCabe, M. O'Donnell, & R. Whittaker (Eds.), Advances in language and education (pp. 166-184).
33. Vološinov, V. N. (1986). Marxism and the philosophy of language (L. Matejka & I. R. Titunik, Trans.). Harvard University Press.
34. Zhang, L., & Li, Z. (2020). "A Mokken scale analysis of the Kessler-6 screening measure among Chinese older population: Findings from a national survey". BMC geriatrics, 20(1), 1-11. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01771-w [DOI:10.1186/s12877-020-01771-w]

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.