Cambodian ELT University Practitioners’ Use of Standardized Tests for Practice and Assessment

Abstract

Standardized tests, in particular TOEFL and IELTS, have been used widely in contemporary ELT education in Cambodia, and research has shown that Cambodians perceive IELTS as a key “gate-keeping mechanism” for gaining overseas scholarships and pursuing education abroad. However, understanding exactly how these tests are used by teachers has yet to be explored and is the subject of this investigation. Twelve teachers from six universities in Phnom Penh participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews to determine their perceptions of these tests and how they are used. The findings show that TOEFL or IELTS were viewed as desirable as classroom learning tools and as a valid and reliable tool for assessment, but were sometimes used erroneously as assessments for meeting course objectives. The authors argue that teachers require further training in assessments before the use of standardized tests in classrooms can be effective.