Using Self-assessment Tools to Enhance English Language Skills in an Online Learning Environment

Abstract

Self-assessment is considered one of the formative assessment tools, and it is helpful for teachers and students. The instructors use self-assessment to track students’ progress in lessons, while the students use it to identify their strengths and weaknesses and learn how to overcome the points of weakness in their learning. This study examines the impact of using self-assessment strategies to enhance English language skills in the online learning environment. Therefore, this study is significant as it investigates the advantages and efficacy of self-assessment tools for improving English language proficiency in an online learning setting. This research paper is trying to answer the main question which is to what extent using self-assessment tools could improve learners’ English language skills in the online learning environment. The current study has followed a qualitative research method to explore the instructors’ perspectives towards the self-assessment tools used to evaluate learners’ performance. The research instrument comprises semi-structured interviews conducted with six university instructors from three universities in the United Arab Emirates. The findings revealed the positive outcomes of the self-assessment tools by indicating progress in students’ performance in English language skills. These findings will be used to provide recommendations that may inspire teachers to adopt practical self-assessment tools in lectures.