A CASE STUDY ON THE CEFR ALIGNMENT IN LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT: INSIGHTS FROM EFL INSTRUCTORS IN TURKEY

Abstract

This study investigates the instructors’ perspectives on the alignment of intermediate-level language tests (B1 & B2) applied in the 2023-2024 academic year at a preparatory school in Turkey. A qualitative case study was adopted in the study and qualitative data were collected from 6 lecturers in the testing office of the preparatory school through reflection papers and semi-structured interviews. The purposive sampling method was conducted in the study, in which all the instructors in the testing office participated. Moreover, all the tests throughout the academic year were purposefully included in the study, as sets of B1 and B2 levels would lead to more comprehensive results. Content analysis was conducted for data analysis. The results demonstrated diversity in the alignment rates of the B1 and B2 level tests with the help of factors that contributed to the alignment and detracted from the alignment with the target levels. The study is of importance with the suggestions of to enhance the tests at intermediate levels and provides practical implications for all the stakeholders in language assessment depending on the CEFR.