Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments
Abstract Despite growing interest in technology-mediated language assessment, limited research has examined the differential effects of online self- versus peer assessment on L2 speaking development. This mixed-methods study investigated how VoiceThread-mediated self-assessment (SA) and peer assessm...
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Springer Nature
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05674-2 |
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| author | Min-Hsun Liao |
| author_facet | Min-Hsun Liao |
| author_sort | Min-Hsun Liao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Despite growing interest in technology-mediated language assessment, limited research has examined the differential effects of online self- versus peer assessment on L2 speaking development. This mixed-methods study investigated how VoiceThread-mediated self-assessment (SA) and peer assessment (PA) influenced the English speaking proficiency and self-efficacy of adult EFL learners. Drawing on sociocultural theory and self-regulated learning frameworks, this research explored the impact of different online assessment approaches on language learning outcomes. Thirty-seven English majors at a Taiwanese university were randomly assigned to SA (n = 19) and PA (n = 18) conditions. Over one academic year, SA participants provided narrative self-evaluations of their recorded speeches on VoiceThread, while PA participants evaluated peers’ recordings and narrated their comments. Data were collected through (a) pre-post oral proficiency evaluations using adapted TOEFL speaking rubrics (interrater reliability = 0.89), (b) the English-speaking Self-efficacy Questionnaire (α = 0.92), and (c) post-intervention interviews and surveys. ANCOVA results revealed that the SA group demonstrated significantly greater gains in overall oral proficiency (F(1, 34) = 15.603, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.32) and self-efficacy (F(1, 34) = 5.07, p < 0.05, η 2 = 0.13). The SA group showed significantly higher performance in accuracy and linguistic complexity compared to the PA group, although no significant between-group differences emerged in fluency or pronunciation (p > 0.05). Regarding self-efficacy, the SA group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in overall speaking confidence, particularly in interlocutory self-efficacy. Qualitative analyses indicated that SA participants developed stronger metacognitive awareness and self-regulatory strategies, although both groups reported technological and affective challenges. These findings suggest that SA may be particularly effective for developing productive language skills and speaking confidence in technology-mediated environments. The study extends current understanding of assessment modality effects on L2 development and offers practical implications for implementing online speaking assessment in EFL contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-515759f1db9840e78a33cc7ff853596f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-9992 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-515759f1db9840e78a33cc7ff853596f2025-08-20T03:42:23ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-08-0112111510.1057/s41599-025-05674-2Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessmentsMin-Hsun Liao0Tunghai UniversityAbstract Despite growing interest in technology-mediated language assessment, limited research has examined the differential effects of online self- versus peer assessment on L2 speaking development. This mixed-methods study investigated how VoiceThread-mediated self-assessment (SA) and peer assessment (PA) influenced the English speaking proficiency and self-efficacy of adult EFL learners. Drawing on sociocultural theory and self-regulated learning frameworks, this research explored the impact of different online assessment approaches on language learning outcomes. Thirty-seven English majors at a Taiwanese university were randomly assigned to SA (n = 19) and PA (n = 18) conditions. Over one academic year, SA participants provided narrative self-evaluations of their recorded speeches on VoiceThread, while PA participants evaluated peers’ recordings and narrated their comments. Data were collected through (a) pre-post oral proficiency evaluations using adapted TOEFL speaking rubrics (interrater reliability = 0.89), (b) the English-speaking Self-efficacy Questionnaire (α = 0.92), and (c) post-intervention interviews and surveys. ANCOVA results revealed that the SA group demonstrated significantly greater gains in overall oral proficiency (F(1, 34) = 15.603, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.32) and self-efficacy (F(1, 34) = 5.07, p < 0.05, η 2 = 0.13). The SA group showed significantly higher performance in accuracy and linguistic complexity compared to the PA group, although no significant between-group differences emerged in fluency or pronunciation (p > 0.05). Regarding self-efficacy, the SA group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in overall speaking confidence, particularly in interlocutory self-efficacy. Qualitative analyses indicated that SA participants developed stronger metacognitive awareness and self-regulatory strategies, although both groups reported technological and affective challenges. These findings suggest that SA may be particularly effective for developing productive language skills and speaking confidence in technology-mediated environments. The study extends current understanding of assessment modality effects on L2 development and offers practical implications for implementing online speaking assessment in EFL contexts.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05674-2 |
| spellingShingle | Min-Hsun Liao Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| title | Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments |
| title_full | Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments |
| title_fullStr | Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments |
| title_short | Cultivating proficient and efficacious L2 English speakers via VoiceThread-mediated self- and peer assessments |
| title_sort | cultivating proficient and efficacious l2 english speakers via voicethread mediated self and peer assessments |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05674-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT minhsunliao cultivatingproficientandefficaciousl2englishspeakersviavoicethreadmediatedselfandpeerassessments |