Challenges, needs, and connection points in EFL teachers’ and students’ perspectives of formative assessment

Abstract: Formative assessment is an educational approach that challenges the traditional summative ways of teaching. Although formative assessment has been found to stimulate learning development, it also involves difficulties for teachers to implement. Moreover, a tendency of blending summative and formative assessment has caused complications among both teachers and students. Furthermore, students require support, clear instruction, and training of self-regulation in order for formative assessment to be efficient. The present study aims to explore what research say about the challenges and needs of teachers and students concerning formative assessment as well as find connection points between the perspectives of teachers and students. The study is a research overview conducted through a thematic analysis of ten empirical studies. The data is collected by database research using specific delimitations with means to analyze studies significant to the aim and target demography of research, which is secondary education English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers and students. The findings suggest four themes: Teachers’ lack of time, support, or knowledge; Students’ need for clear instruction and thorough guidance; Difficulties in interactions and expectations; and Clashes with summative habits and a grade-oriented mindset. The discussion aligns these themes with theory on formative assessment and examines its alignment with policy documents as well as a Swedish secondary education EFL context. The present study offers an insight into problematic areas regarding challenges and needs of formative assessment.