CELTA/PTLLS

ASSESSMENT AND LEARNINGRECORD KEEPING

SESSION OBJECTIVES: Identify when, why and how EFL/ESOL students are

assessed.

Evaluate strengths and limitations of assessment methods to meet individual learner needs.

Examine the role of peer and self assessment.

Raise awareness of different exams available for EFL/ESOL learners.

Describe the types of records you would keep as a teacher/trainer in the LLS and explain why these are necessary.

WHAT WORDS TO YOU THINK YOU’D SEE IN A DEFINITION OF ‘ASSESSMENT’?

“…all those activities and processes involved in judging performance or measuring learner

achievement.”

Mary Francis & Jim Gould Fast Track to Training, 2000

DISCUSS IN PAIRS

When do you assess?Before, at beginning, middle and end of course

Why do you assess?To assess current ability, to check progress and

achievementWhat do you assess?

speaking & listening, reading and writing

WHEN AND WHY DO WE ASSESS?When Why Type (the technical name for

this)At enrolment/interview

Near beginning of course

During

End

WHEN AND WHY DO WE ASSESS?When Why Type (the technical name for

this)

At enrolment/interview To ascertain language ability and levelTo identify learning difficultiesTo make sure student is placed in appropriate class/level

Initial assessment

Near beginning of course

To establish existing knowledge, experience and skills. To identify ss’ strengths and areas of weakness in order to inform lesson planning and plan personal and individualised programmes

Diagnostic assessment

DuringTo inform both trainer and learner of progress. Informal classroom tests, activities, exam practice, etc to measure/check progress

Formative assessment

End

To check objectives have been achieved. Formal tests, external exams to measure achievement

Summative assessment

PLACEMENT TESTING

DiscussionLook at the initial assessment materials.

What information will they give you about students before they join a class?

GENERALLY WHAT DO YOU ASSESS?

Speaking and Listening (accuracy and fluency)ReadingWriting

GrammarVocabulary

Appropriacy

HOW DO WE ASSESS?Make a list of the different ways in which you

can assess your learners.

Now look at the list and identify the strengths and limitations of each of these methods?

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES?Peer assessment: Self-assessment:

Activity

What do the following features ofassessment mean to you?

validityreliabilityfairnesssufficiency

Definitions of key features of appropriate assessment

Key features of appropriate assessment (look at list from previous slide)

The test will cover a range of the whole course/training.

Tests what is supposed to be tested.

All students have an equal opportunity to pass the test.

With same teaching and learning, results will be similar for different groups of students.

Definitions of key features of appropriate assessment

Key features of appropriate assessment

The test will cover a range of the whole course/training.

Sufficiency

Tests what is supposed to be tested.

Validity

All students have an equal opportunity to pass the test.

Fairness

With same teaching and learning, results will be similar for different groups of students.

Reliability

ESOL EXAMSDiscussion

Which EFL/ESOL exams have you heard of?

Cambridge EFL / Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life / Trinity ESOL Skills for Life……..

Why is it important to know about different exams available?

because you might have to teach them

DIFFERENT EXAMS AVAILABLECambridge International Exams1. KET (Key English Test): Entry 22. PET (Preliminary English Test): Entry 33. FCE (First Certificate): L14. Advanced: L25. Proficiency: L36. IELTS (International English Language

Testing System)

DIFFERENT EXAMS AVAILABLE

Cambridge ESOL Skills for Life Entry 1-3 Levels 1 & 2

Trinity ESOL Skills for Life…and others…..The format of exam boards is different but thestandard is the same at each level.

DIFFERENT EXAMS AVAILABLE

ActivityGetting to grips with different ESOL exams.

Look at the exams and decide if they are fow lower or higher levels.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE ESOL SKILLS FOR LIFE EXAMS?

Students often want/need them. FE colleges need them to get funding.

Success rates = money

ESOL Students have to take them.You have to teach them.

RECORD KEEPINGLook at the activities together on the subject of

record keeping.

RECORD KEEPING

Tracking sheets

Initial assessmenttests

Observation recordsILPS

AssignmentFront

Sheets

Learner diaries

Photos

Results/gradesPortfolio

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF KEEPING RECORDS?

INTERNAL reasons Monitor performance Track achievement Identify areas needing

improvement Data purposes

(Quality Assurance) Funding Ofsted expectations

EXTERNAL reasons Examiners External Verifiers Employers Parents/Guardians Ofsted