The predictive validity of a sentence repetition test for Japanese learners of English.

摘要

The current research study was conducted to explore the predictive utility of the Sentence Repetition Placement Test (SRPT) for native language (L1) Japanese English learners. A bivariate correlational analysis shows a positive correlation (r = .643) of scores on the listening segment of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) and those on the SRPT. Data from the SRPT was generated from university students and working professionals in Tokyo, Japan (N = 35, 25 men and 10 women). The issue of placement is a problem in English as a foreign language classes in Japan. Learners of different proficiency levels are often placed in the same class. A possible solution may be found in a valid sentence repetition test that can serve as an alternative to the TOEIC, which is the current instrument in use. The study was informed by psycholinguistics, which is an aspect of the theory of communicative competence. Differences in the phonemic and morphosyntatic features of Japanese and English contribute to communicative difficulties for L1 Japanese learners of English. Evidence of washback could not be ascertained from the results. The focus of future research should address the relationship between the objectives for intercultural communicative competence and the implementation of policies to achieve such objectives. Within the current global environment, internal adjustments are necessary to address external communication needs. The harmony and coherence inculcated in the principles of amae that guides interpersonal communication should replace the ambiguity and emotional emphasis that amae confers upon L1 Japanese learners of the global lingua franca—English.