Open AccessAN INQUIRY INTO POSSIBLE NEW ITEMS OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT TOEFL CANDIDATES
Author(s) -
Feldmesser Robert A.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
ets research report series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.235
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2330-8516
DOI - 10.1002/j.2330-8516.1983.tb00004.x
Subject(s) - library science , test of english as a foreign language , student affairs , citation , political science , sociology , foreign policy , psychology , higher education , law , pedagogy , politics , computer science , language education
Candidates taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are currently asked to supply several items of background information: birth date, sex, number of times TOEFL has been taken before, whether they are seeking status as undergraduate or graduate students, their native country and native language, and (for prospective graduate students only) their intended field of study. The candidates provide this information on one side of their answer sheet, according to instructions given in the handbook sent to each candidate,upon registration. In view of the extreme heterogeneity of the TOEFL candidate population it seims likely that additional information would be valuable. Foreign studeilts (39 . undergraduate and 18 graduate) were interviewed at four institutions. Four variables emerged as being the most promising: total number of years of formal study of English; reading of English-language newspapers, books, and magazine; number of years of father's education; and number of years of mother's education. Collectively, these variables offer the promise of enhanced research on variouq aspects of the TOEFL candidate population and on foreign studer generally. The appendices include the interview questions used in the study, as well as interviewees' comments on TOEFL. (PN)