Chinese EFL Learners' Perceptions of Their Experience with Portfolio-Based Writing Assessment:A Case Study

In a case study investigating Chinese EFL university majors＇ perceptions of a portfolio-based writing assessment （PBWA） project, English majors were sampled to find out whether the portfolio method made them more interested in writing and/or improved their writing process and writing strategies. Four sophomores were chosen from among an experimental group at a local university in China. Analysis of data from student journals, interviews and reflective essays showed that taking part in portfolio writing empowered them to take charge of their own learning and motivated them to write better. The students welcomed PBWA as a fairer assessment tool than timed, one-shot essay tests. They held more interest in English writing, improved their writing strategies and shifted their attention from products of writing to process of writing and, thus, preferred scores from PBWA as a more satisfactory indicator of their writing ability.

The Impact of Portfolio-based Writing Assessment on EFL Writing Development of Chinese Learners

本研究探索基于文件夹的写作形成性评估(portfolio-based writing assessment,PBWA)对中国学生EFL写作能力发展的影响。本文报告了受试为英语专业学生的一项对比研究的结果。受试分为实验组(PBWA experimental class)和控制组(non-PBWA class)。两组的其它条件相同,实验组进行PBWA。一个学期之后的写作测试结果表明,实验组的写作能力在准确性和连贯表达等方面优于控制组,但在复杂度和流利度方面两组没有显著差别。文章还指出了本研究的局限和未来研究的方向。