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

PRESENTERS VCAA Languages Unit: Maree Dellora F-10 Unit: Craig Smith ACER Fusae Nojima: Project Director Scott Haines: Online Support Coordinator

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

Overview The Language assessments are a free online resource for teachers They are available in eight languages (Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Spanish) They provide quick, formative assessments of students receptive skills of listening and reading

Overview The Language assessments are suitable for levels 5-6 onward can be used any time, but probably best in Term 1 and to retest late in Term 3 are low-stakes assessments for teacher use only provide student results immediately.

Background The Language assessments were developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) They were based on ACER’s ALC tests, which in turn were aligned to Australian Curriculum They have been further modified by ACER to meet the needs of Victorian Language teachers

Who is 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 Aligned to Victorian Curriculum F-10 Languages Available to all Victorian schools at no cost

Introducing the Language Assessments The language assessments consist of separate Reading and Listening assessments, with three levels of difficulty 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

Introducing the Language Assessments Multiple-choice format Assess receptive skills only Automatic scoring Online reports

Introducing the Language Assessments 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 teachers to use, data to support their teaching

Go to poll Who has registered to use the Language Assessment resources? If so, which Language? Has anyone used them with their class?

Web tour Demonstration of an online test

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

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 to the teacher

Questions

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. Create students* Assign tests Log in *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

How to administer 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.

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 Recommended levels Audio transcripts

Questions Final questions

Support to get started If you have any questions about how to register, create student lists, assign tests or any other questions how to get started, please contact: ACER Helpdesk T. 03 9277 5324 E.oarssupport@acer.edu.au

Curriculum support for Languages For Languages, contact Maree Dellora, Manager, Languages Unit E. dellora.maree.r@edumail.vic.gov.au T. 9032 1692 For F-10 curriculum, contact VCAA F-10 Unit: E. vcaa.f10.curriculum@edumail.vic.gov.au T. 9032 1788