Improving L2 Reading Comprehension through Emotionalized Dynamic Assessment Procedures

The paper reports a study on an emotionally-loaded dynamic assessment procedure used with Iranian EFL learners. It focuses on the effect of using emotional intelligence characteristics (based on Goleman’s framework) as a tool for motivating learners while performing reading tasks. The study with 50 intermediate learners aged 12–15 used three modalities: a control group, which was taught under institute’s normal procedures; a comparison group, which received dynamic assessment (DA); and an experimental group, which received emotionalized dynamic assessment (EDA) procedures, in the form of an intervention focusing on characteristics of Goleman’s emotional intelligence framework with the express purpose of inducing them to work with their emotions. Results showed that applying EDA procedures to reading assessment tasks made a difference in learners’ level of performance in comparison to those who went through pure DA procedures who in turn performed significantly better than those who did not received DA in any form.