Language Ability in Creativity Assessment

DS 86: Proceedings of The Fourth International Conference on Design Creativity,Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

Year: 2016
Editor: Julie Linsey, Maria Yang, and Yukari Nagai
Author: Xinyi, Wang; Barry, Kudrowitz
Series: ICDC
ISBN: 978-1-904670-82-7

Abstract

Creativity tests including the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT), the Alternative Use
Test (ALT) and the Remote Associates Test (RAT) require written communication. This paper examines
the relationship between language and creative abilities with English as Second Language (ESL) and
Native Speakers of English (NSE). The TTCT, ALT and RAT were used as measures of creative ability
of 194 students. A self-rating of English ability was used as a measurement of language mastery. English
ability of ESL students was significantly positively correlated with the more verbal test scores (ALT,
P=0.029; RAT, P=0.006). In the TTCT, there was no strong correlation between self-rating of English
ability and creativity scores. However, ESL students in general had statistically significant lower TTCT
scores than NSE students (F=0.055, P=0.002).

Keywords: Creativity, ESL, Language, Assessment