The development and validation of English communicative competence inventory for high school students in Korea

This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive inventory to objectively diagnose and assess the English communicative competence of Korean high school students. The inventory was constructed through a systematic process, ensuring its rigorous validation and reliability. All content validity ratio values were confirmed to be 0.64 or higher, establishing the items’ validity. Face validity was further checked through a pilot study. The main survey confirmed discriminant and construct validity and established the inventory’s consistency across various measurement methodologies. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted, deriving 42 items with a 13-dimensional factor structure and a cumulative variance of 81.139%, denoting a highly appropriate factor structure. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis revealed that most model fit indices satisfied the criteria. Also, the inventory’s reliability and consistency are underscored. This tool offers students insights for self-reflection and the development of personalized learning strategies. For educators and institutions, the inventory’s data is instrumental in refining curricula, evaluations, and overall English education programs. On a broader scale, the insights can influence national education policies, curriculum development, and English textbook contents, marking a significant stride in aligning assessment tools with the evolving educational landscape.