Usability of a speaking assessment portal for Japanese teachers of English

Against a backdrop of insufficient training for pre-service and in-service teachers, as well as limited access to materials and resources related to speaking assessment (SA), this study reports on the development and usability of an SA Portal, drawing upon the perceptions of teachers who used the website. The Portal is intended for Japanese senior high school teachers of English as a way to equip them with a wider range of relevant resources. It includes tips for conducting speaking tests; SA examples and explanations, including tasks, rubrics, and videos; and useful websites and resource. There were two phases in this preliminary usability study, and teacher perceptions were collected in each phase. We found that teachers received the content of the Portal positively. Teachers also provided numerous points for improvement from micro and macro levels. Most of these suggestions have been implemented in the Portal, while the remaining ones will be considered in the future. The practical implications of the Portal itself and the use of feedback from its users are also outlined. Specifically, soliciting input from users with diverse backgrounds, employing various open-ended questions, and allowing sufficient time for multiple revisions can lead to valuable feedback that contributes to effective improvements. Keywords: second language speaking assessment, online resources, teacher training, rubric, teacher perception