Introducing Language Assessments Victorian Curriculum F-10 and Languages Units ACER

PRESENTERS VCAA Languages Unit: Maree Dellora F-10 Unit: Craig Smith ACER Project Director: Fusae Nojima Senior Technical Officer: Scott Haines

Contents Overview Background Introducing the language assessments Web tour language assessments Questions How to register Contacts

Overview The Language assessments are a resource schools may choose to use to support their teaching of Languages (F-10 or 7-10 sequences) provide assessments of the receptive skills of listening and reading not intended to be the sole means of assessing student progress against the Victorian Curriculum Languages achievement standards.

Background to Language Assessments 2017 the Victorian Curriculum F-10 implemented by all Victorian government and Catholic schools VCAA identifies 90% of students taking one of eight languages VCAA goes to public tender seeking online language assessments, aligned to the curriculum, targeting eight most popular languages plus hosting services

Background Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) awarded tender, with online language assessments for listening and reading in following eight languages: - Chinese (background and second language learner) - French - German - Indonesian - Italian - Japanese - Modern Greek - Spanish.

Background – timelines Assessments trialled with schools March 2017, with first iteration of language assessments released for term 3, 2017. First iteration – eight languages, raw score reports Second iteration – February 2018, additional assessments in Chinese, Modern Greek and Spanish, full reporting functionality. Ongoing development process, to add more test items and to increase the range tests.

Who we are - ACER Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation established in Australia. ACER undertakes commissioned research and development and develops and distributes a wide range of products and services.

Introducing the Language Assessments Online suite of assessments in eight languages Derived from ACER’s ALC tests Intended to support teachers implementing Victorian Curriculum Languages Available to all Victorian schools at no cost

Introducing the Language Assessments Separate Listening and Reading tests Multiple-choice format Three levels of difficulty Assess receptive skills only

Introducing the Language Assessments Currently suitable for F-10 or 7-10 sequence, for levels 5-6 onwards Available on demand ie teachers decide when they wish to use them and how often For individual teacher use, giving data to support teaching

Introducing the Language Assessments The language assessments consist of separate Reading and Listening tests, with three levels of difficulty VCAA will provide an indication of where the language assessments align with the curriculum, but teachers have the flexibility to decide which assessments they wish to use. Teachers are strongly urged to preview the tests before using them

Why use language assessments? Useful diagnostic tool Snapshot of student progress in listening and reading Online bank of test items available any time Results provided immediately

How to register Go to either the VCAA website http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/foundation10/viccurriculum/languages/cpa.aspx and follow the link to ACER’s registration page Or go directly to the ACER page https://oars.acer.edu.au/registration/school/steps/details

How to register Complete and submit the registration form. You will receive login details via email from the ACER once your registration is approved (may take up to 5 business days).

What happens after registration? Once you log in to your account, you can start using your account immediately. LOG IN CREATE STUDENTS* ASSIGN TESTS *Students already in your account?

Log in Use the login details emailed by ACER. Click “Students”. 

CAN YOU SEE STUDENTS ALREADY? Create/edit students CAN YOU SEE STUDENTS ALREADY? YES NO CHECK/EDIT STUDENTS CREATE STUDENTS

Create students Individually Bulk import (via Template) Candidate information: Name / DOB / Gender / Username / Password / Year Level Note: password can be the same for all students

Assign tests VCAA will provide an indication of where the language assessments align with the curriculum but teachers have the flexibility to decide which test they wish to use to assess their students listening and/or reading skills, and at what level of difficulty.

Assign tests Teachers are strongly urged to preview the tests beforehand and to make a judgement which test is appropriate for their students. To Preview a test: Go to Students page Click on Tests > Preview Select Language and Form Click Preview

Administering a Test Tests are designed to help teachers not only to find out what students know and can do, but also to map where a student’s current knowledge ends There will be more instructions included for teachers administering tests, but two key points to emphasise are that for multi-choice tests like these it’s important to encourage students to attempt all questions. However, if students do not know the answer it is better for them to skip the question rather than to make a random guess.

Administering a Test Accessible on all types of devices; Windows (IE/Firefox/Chrome) or Mac (Safari/Firefox/Chrome) or iPad (Safari) or Android tablets Student responses are saved as they move from question to question The system logs start and end time, but does not lock automatically Headphones are required for the Listening tests

Reports Reports are available immediately after students complete their test Go to Students page Select one or more students Click Generate Report Select Language area Select Group Report Select Test Form Specify a date range

Help Page User Guide account set up instructions video demonstrations Language assessments FAQs

Contact regarding the platform If you have any questions about the platform (registration, create/edit students, assign tests), please contact: ACER Helpdesk 03 9277 5324 oarssupport@acer.edu.au

Contacts for Language Assessments/ Languages For questions about the language assessments, please contact VCAA F-10 Unit: vcaa.f10.curriculum@edumail.vic.gov.au or 9032 1788. For queries re Languages please contact: Maree Dellora, Manager, Languages Unit dellora.maree.r@edumail.vic.gov.au 9032 1692