Modifying Reading and Listening Span Tests for Group Testing

Abstract

The authors have conducted several studies concerning reading and listening comprehension processes of Japanese learners of English. Assuming that working memory is the crucial factor in these two types of processing, established reading and listening span tests are needed. However, so far, span tests have traditionally been conducted in a 'face to face' situation. It has been impossible to gather a large number of subjects or to adapt these tests for pedagogical use. This paper is intended as an experiment to explore the possibility of modifying span tests for a large number of subjects, i.e. for group testing. A Reading Span Test (RST) was made on a video tape, using a character generator, VTR and controller. A Listening Span Test (LST) was recorded onto a cassette MD tape, using an MD recorder. These tests were administered to students in a Language Laboratory room. The results are presented and some suggestions are made about how the results of this research can contribute to the improvement of current English teaching.