MODERN ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THEIR ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Abstract

As assessment continues to play a pivotal role in contemporary English Language Learning (ELL), understanding how diverse evaluation techniques affect the learner's developmental trajectory has become increasingly important for enhancing educational outcomes. This study provides a comparative analysis of modern assessment methods—including formative assessment, summative assessment, self-assessment, peer assessment, and e-assessment—explicitly from the learner’s perspective. Employing a qualitative approach, the research is based on a systematic review and thematic analysis of relevant scholarly literature. The findings indicate that each assessment technique possesses distinct strengths and limitations regarding student cognitive load, psychological well-being, and skill acquisition. While formative assessment facilitates continuous feedback loops and immediate learner engagement, summative frameworks evaluate long-term linguistic competence but often induce high-stakes test anxiety. Concurrently, alternative options like self-assessment and peer assessment actively foster learner autonomy and collaborative competence, while digital e-assessments offer swift processing and digital efficiency. The study concludes that an integrated, learner-centered assessment ecosystem is essential to minimize academic anxiety while maximizing language proficiency evaluation.