learning-oriented assessment (LOA)

Different techniques can be used to enhance EFL students’ vocabulary learning. One such technique can be learning-oriented assessment (LOA) which may have a positive impact on vocabulary learning. To investigate the effect of LOA on EFL learners’ vocabulary learning and retention, 60 intermediate EFL learners were selected. After checking the homogeneity of the participants by using an Oxford Placement Test (OPT), 60 participants were selected and they took a pretest of vocabulary. Afterward, they were divided into 2 groups, the experimental group received the LOA treatment and the control group received the placebo. Based on Carless framework (2007), LOA was applied in the experimental group for 40 hours. Then, both groups took the post-test and the delayed post-test after 2 weeks. The reliability of the pretest, post-test, and delayed post-test was considered acceptable. Two repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine whether there were statistical differences between the pretest, post-test, and delayed post-test of each group. Also, two independent-samples t-tests were used to determine the differences between the post-test of the two groups and their delayed post-tests. The results showed that LOA significantly affected the experimental group’s vocabulary learning. On the other hand, LOA did not have any significant impact on the learners’ retention of vocabulary in the delayed post-test. The most important implication of the study is that for better retention of words, more hours of LOA instruction are needed.