The Effects of Direct Composition Test and Translation Composition Test as Test Methods on Students’ Writing Performance

Abstract

The use of L1 in L2 performance is not deniable. This study investigates the effects of using translation as a means of testing L2 language writing. To be specific, It examines the effects of two test methods, Direct Composition test (DC) and Translation Composition Test (TCT) on students’ writing performance. To conduct the study, 114 language learners studying at different universities of Tehran and majoring in English translation, literature and teaching were involved. Using a TOEFL test they were divided into three- proficiency levels low, intermediate and high. Then they were asked to perform on two writing test methods, Direct Composition and Translation Composition test. However, analyzing the finding of the study indicates that the two major factors of composing process and proficiency level were found to affect the quality of writing texts. Translations were rated significantly higher than direct compositions. All the three proficiency levels benefited according to the new test (translation composition), but this benefit was more significant with the low-proficiency level students. The study also scrutinized `the effect of these test methods on various components of writing skill.