Test-takers' attitudes toward taking pictorial and visual modalities of listening comprehension test in an efl context

Abstract

Listening comprehension test has always been a challenging point for language teachers and test developers. In order to scaffold students in taking the test and at the same time sustaining the authenticity of the assessment, pictures and video devices are proposed by scholars to be added to the test. Beside many advantages, these modified listening tests have a distracting nature too. In this study a sample of 80 EFL students were selected to inquire their attitude toward taking three different modalities of listening test. The results of 5-point scale questionnaire show that test-takers reacted negatively toward audio-only listening test. The attitude of test-takers toward taking the pictorial listening test was totally positive. However, students responded negatively toward taking the visual modality of listening test. Most of the test-takers were unanimous about the distracting nature of visual listening test.