Innovation in Language Learning

Abstract

This paper explores new and innovative ways to improve the Romanian Language and Literature National Assessment for eighth graders, focusing on how these methods can tackle the language challenges that students often face. This study is important for educators, policymakers and researchers who aim to make language assessments fairer and more effective.

The main issue addressed is the difficulty that Romanian eighth-grade students experience with the current National Assessment. The texts are often too complex, and the grammar tasks focus on specialized details rather than practical language use. The paper argues for a comprehensive revision of the assessment structure to better align with students' reading habits and functional language skills.

The study reviews student performance from 2021 to the present, analyzing the complexity of texts and the nature of grammar tasks in the assessments. It proposes integrating formative assessment and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies as potential solutions.

The analysis revealed significant challenges in text comprehension, stemming from the lack of encouragement for regular reading habits during the secondary primary cycle (grades 5-8). Additionally, the grammar tasks were found to be overly specialized, focusing more on detailed aspects than on practical language use. The integration of formative assessment and NLP tools was found to offer promising solutions by providing continuous feedback and personalized learning experiences.

This study highlights the need for simpler texts and practical grammar in the National Assessment of Romanian Language and Literature. Using formative assessment and NLP technologies can make learning more engaging and supportive for students, creating a fairer and more effective evaluation system.

Keywords

evaluation, formative assessment, language proficiency, secondary education

References

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Mirica, A., Neamtu, A., & Stoica, I. (2024). Pupils Left Behind? An Analysis on the Data from National Evaluation Exams in Romania 2023. Ovidius University Annals Economic Sciences Series, 23(2), 300–306. https://doi.org/10.61801/ouaess.2023.2.37

Adela Chindris, West University of Timisoara, Romania

[email protected]