JALT2025 - Tokyo

Do TOEIC scores predict L2 perception in noise?

Nov 2, 2025, 12:00 PM

1h

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center / 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Research-Oriented Presentation (60-minutes) Materials and Assessment Room 509

Speakers

Dr francesco cangemi (the university of tokyo)Dr hinako masuda (seikei university)

Description

Quantification of L2 proficiency is important yet challenging, especially when considering the ecological validity of the assessment. In this study we use an online transcription experiment to explore perception of English sentences in noise by Japanese listeners. Results show that listeners with higher TOEIC scores perform better than listeners with lower scores, but only for low-noise conditions, and only in terms of recognition of lexical types, thus suggesting caution in the interpretation of test scores.

Summary

Quantification of L2 proficiency is important yet challenging, especially when considering the ecological validity of the assessment. In this study we use an online transcription experiment to explore perception of English sentences in noise by Japanese listeners. Results show that listeners with higher TOEIC scores perform better than listeners with lower scores, but only for low-noise conditions, and only in terms of recognition of lexical types, thus suggesting caution in the interpretation of test scores.