Analysing test scripts to improve language materials in the Solomon Islands

Abstract This paper reports on a case study from the Solomon Islands where national testing indicates poor performance in English literacy, particularly in the ability to write continuous text. Analysis of a sample of scripts was undertaken using Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) to reveal weakness in the ability to elaborate on events within writing. Teaching and learning materials were subsequently developed using the results of the analysis, drawing on pedagogy associated with SFL. This study illustrates how a principled framework might be used to support the development of both students’ and teachers’ knowledge of language .