The Effective Role of Learners’ Self-Assessment Tasks in Enhancing Learning English as a Second Language

Abstract

Learners’ Self-assessment is a supportive and learner facilitating task, as a genuine part of the learner-centered approach, and Task-Based Teaching. It highlights the importance of giving freedom to the learners and is impactful on learner performance. This study aimed at exploring the advantages of Learners' Self-Assessment Tasks (LSATs) by B.A. English-major students, University of Bisha. The data collected through a questionnaire and informal interviews with the students who experienced LSATs during their classes. The study indicated that LSATs create awareness and dynamic progress in enhancing the students' learning process. In the data procured, around 75% of participants found LSATs helpful for improving their English skills. It strengthens the factors related to a learner's skills, motivation, and engagement in the development of learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Learners were also able to achieve and receive constructive and indirect feedback. The results showed that LSATs fosters the students' autonomy in learning ESL. Few significant shortcomings of LSATs highlight that quite a few students' were hesitant to get involved and engage themselves in specific self-assessment tasks and activities; lack of the desired proficiency in ESL is and could be one of the few important reasons. Productive and successful self-assessment tasks can be aimed at following requisite guidelines, which this study shows and explores. For instance, teachers need to design LSATs well-tailored to the student proficiency and level of knowledge. The study concludes by giving suggestions and recommendations for further studies in this domain.