Assessing Communicative Competence: Validity of Tests in CLT-Based English Classrooms Across Formal in West Java
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v13i2.7612Keywords:
Assessment validity, CLT, Communicative competence, EFL teachers, Language testingAbstract
This research examines the validity of classroom tests in formal secondary schools in West Java, Indonesia, which purport to practice Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). Although CLT calls for the development of communicative competence encompassing grammatical, sociolinguistic, discourse, and strategic components, concerns arise that classroom testing procedures may fail to represent these communicative objectives. Data were gathered from four EFL teachers using a qualitative multiple case study design through document analysis and a semi-structured online questionnaire. Results show that although the participants exhibit firm theoretical grasp of communicative assessment and include performance tasks like interviews, role plays, and video-based speaking tasks, complete alignment with CLT ideals is limited. A number of challenges impede implementation, such as lack of professional development, large class sizes, limited instructional time, and institutional requirements for grammar-dominated tests. This study concludes that despite claimed allegiance to CLT, the validity of tests utilized in these classrooms continues to be inconsistent. It suggests enhancing teacher assessment literacy, instituting prolonged training, and reforming institutional policy to accommodate communicative assessment practices more in accord with CLT.
References
Bachman, L. F. (1990). Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford University Press.
Bachman, L. F., & Palmer, A. S. (1996). Language testing in practice: Designing and developing useful language tests. Oxford University Press.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Canale, M., & Swain, M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1–47. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/I.1.1
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2017). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Daar, J., & Ndorang, D. (2020). The impact of role play and pair work on students’ speaking skills. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris Indonesia, 8(1), 45–56.
Dewi, R. S., Hidayati, N., & Putri, R. (2025). Enhancing students’ listening and speaking through CLT. Language Teaching Journal, 10(1), 34–47.
Effendi, H., & Novita, R. (2024). Barriers to implementing CLT in Indonesian classrooms. ELT Journal of Indonesia, 15(2), 88–99.
Elmiana, N. (2018). Teaching English in an Indonesian vocational high school: A classroom-based study. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8(3), 576–585. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v8i3.15272
Fulcher, G. (2003). Testing second language speaking. Pearson Longman.
Hasibuan, H., Lubis, A. H., & Rangkuti, R. (2021). Enhancing students’ communicative competence through CLT approach. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education, 7(4), 412–421. https://doi.org/10.36312/jime.v7i4.2323
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732305276687
Lestari, H., & Margana, M. (2024). CLT implementation challenges in urban high schools. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 9(1), 102–117.
Lumy, M. (2018). The effectiveness of CLT in increasing students’ motivation and speaking fluency. Journal of English Language and Education, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v4i1.100
Masduqi, H., & Prihananto, H. (2020). Challenges of applying CLT in Indonesian high schools. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 4(2), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v4i2.588
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Messick, S. (1989). Validity. In R. L. Linn (Ed.), Educational measurement (3rd ed., pp. 13–103). American Council on Education/Macmillan.
Rafiud Ilmudinulloh, M., Azzahro, M., & Wibowo, F. (2022). Kampung Inggris: An informal CLT-based learning model. Journal of English Language Studies, 7(2), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.30870/jels.v7i2.13045
Richards, J. C. (2006). Communicative language teaching today. Cambridge University Press.
Rizqi, M. A. (2020). The implementation of communicative language teaching in senior high school. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 5(2), 245–264. https://doi.org/10.21093/ijeltal.v5i2.627
Saragih, A. (2019). Teachers’ perception of CLT implementation in senior high school. International Journal of English Teaching and Learning, 7(1), 55–70. https://doi.org/10.32939/ijetl.v7i1.273
Savignon, S. J. (2002). Interpreting communicative language teaching: Contexts and concerns in teacher education. Yale University Press.
Salam, F., & Luksfinanto, R. (2024). National exam policy and CLT conflict. Journal of English Pedagogy, 12(1), 44–59.
Trimadona, R., Wati, S., & Azzahra, N. (2024). Enhancing speaking competence through pair work in CLT classrooms. Indonesian Journal of Educational Studies, 11(1), 22–35.
Wulandari, S. (2021). Teacher challenges in implementing CLT in junior high schools. Journal of Language and Literature Education, 7(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.23887/jlle.v7i1.29877
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Yustina, N., & Hikmah, R. (2020). Investigating classroom implementation of CLT in public schools. TEFLIN Journal, 31(1), 13–31. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v31i1/13-31
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fella Rosy, Nida Husna, Ummi Kulstum, Muhammad Farkhan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
