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A Neurocognitive Investigation of Test Methods and Gender Effects in Listening Assessment

Authors :
Aryadoust, Vahid
Ng, Li Ying
Foo, Stacy
Esposito, Gianluca
Source :
Computer Assisted Language Learning. 2022 35(4):743-763.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

This is the first study to investigate the effects of test methods (while-listening performance and post-listening performance) and gender on measured listening ability and brain activation under test conditions. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to examine three brain regions associated with listening comprehension: the inferior frontal gyrus and posterior middle temporal gyrus, which subserve bottom-up processing in comprehension, and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, which mediates top-down processing. A Rasch model reliability analysis showed that listeners were homogeneous in their listening ability. Additionally, there were no significant differences in test scores across test methods and genders. The fNIRS data, however, revealed significantly different activation of the investigated brain regions across test methods, genders, and listening abilities. Together, these findings indicated that the listening test was not sensitive to differences in the neurocognitive processes underlying listening comprehension under test conditions. The implications of these findings for assessing listening and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0958-8221 and 1744-3210
Volume :
35
Issue :
4
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Computer Assisted Language Learning
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1352666
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1744667