The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the analytic reporting approach would have a greater impact on improving English language learners' verbal skills. The two groups, the analytic group, and the holistic group, were compared in terms of the test results from the analytic scoring approach and holistic scoring approach respectively. Furthermore, the study revealed that students were more than willing to adopt an analytical scoring method for teaching and assessment of speaking skills.

Speaking, analytic scoring approach, holistic scoring approach

Bachman, L. F. & Palmer, A.S. (1996). Language Testing In Practice (second edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Weigle, S.S. (2002). Assessing Writing. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Park, T. (2004). An Overview of Portfolio-based Writing Assessment. Retrieved on July 14 2011 from http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/tesol/WJFiles/pdf/TaejoonParkForum.pdf.

Weir, C.J. (2005). Language Testing and Validation: An Evidence-based Approach. Hound grave, Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan.

Downing, S.M. & Haladyna, T.M. (2006). Handbook of Test Development. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Park, T. (2004). An Overview of Portfolio-based Writing Assessment. Retrieved on July 14 2011 from http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/tesol/WJFiles/pdf/TaejoonParkForum.pdf.

Moskal, B.M. (2000). "Scoring rubrics: What, when and how?" Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 7 (3). Retried on July 11 2011 from http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=7&n=3.

Park, T. (2004). An Overview of Portfolio-based Writing Assessment. Retrieved on July 14 2011 from http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/tesol/WJFiles/pdf/TaejoonParkForum.pdf.

Hughes, A. (1989/2003). Testing for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hughes, A. (1989/2003). Testing for Language Teachers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fulcher, G. (2009). Rating Scales and the Halo Effect. Retrieved on July 17 2011 from http://languagetesting.info/gf/glennfulcher.php.

Hamp-Lyons, L. (1989). Second language writing: Assessment issues. In Kroll, B. (Ed.), Second language writing (pp. 69-87). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

McNamara, T. (1996). Measuring second language performance. London: Longman.

Nakamura, Y. (2004). A Rasch-based analysis of an in-house English placement test. Retrieved on July 2 2011 from: http://jalt.org/pansig/2004/HTML/Nakamura.htm.

Hughey, J.B., Wormuth, D.R., Hartfiel, V.F. & Jacobs, H.L. (1983). Teaching ESL composition: Principles and techniques. Rowley, MA: Newbury House.