PASAA
Publication Date
2018-01-01
Abstract
This study is a literature review on the findings of different studies on the dimensionality of language proficiency. It aims to particularly analyze the assumptions and the statistical findings of relevant research since it has always been an endless debate among linguists and language teachers about whether language proficiency is organized as a unitary ability or multiple divisible competences. For this objective, it is necessary to begin this study by defining the notions of language proficiency. By clarifying the theoretical meanings of language proficiency, I investigated how different researchers discuss the relationships between different language sub-skills and the overall language proficiency. Since there was a major shift of interest from discrete-point testing to the testing of integrated skills in 1970s, this has led to debates and discussion about the nature of language proficiency in communication. Even though there are some degrees of consensus on research evidence for different language sub-skills, the results are still inconclusive or even contradictory. In trying to summarize the findings of many studies, I believe that it is imperative to assess the implications of the findings of these studies in the benefits of language teaching and testing.
DOI
10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.55.1.9
First Page
219
Last Page
236
Recommended Citation
Thirakunkovit, Suthathip
(2018)
"The Notions of Language Proficiency and Language Dimensionality,"
PASAA: Vol. 55:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.55.1.9
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol55/iss1/9