Welcome to The Placement Test for Use in SEARs by Parinun Mastanawattanakul MA participant, KMUTT English teacher, Pichai Rattanakan School, Ranong

Advisors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Richard Watson Todd & Dr. Punnee Buato

Why the Placement Test? To serve the needs of SEARs To serve the needs of SEARs To provide an ‘efficient’ placement test for use in SEARs To provide an ‘efficient’ placement test for use in SEARs To help identify the SEAR users’ language level To help identify the SEAR users’ language level To guide the SEAR users concerning where to start using materials that are appropriate to their language level To guide the SEAR users concerning where to start using materials that are appropriate to their language level

Before Designing the Test Analyse all KMUTT self-access materials (package 5) Analyse all KMUTT self-access materials (package 5) Analyse each skill by focusing on levels, strategies, vocabularies, grammar Analyse each skill by focusing on levels, strategies, vocabularies, grammar Explore supportive sources/materials for the test Explore supportive sources/materials for the test Design the tables of specification of each skill Design the tables of specification of each skill

Test Design Based on KMUTT self-access materials (package 5) Based on KMUTT self-access materials (package 5) Cover 5 skills; listening, vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing Cover 5 skills; listening, vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing Each skill consists of 3 different language levels (1 level:4 items) Each skill consists of 3 different language levels (1 level:4 items) Identify what language level the test takers are Identify what language level the test takers are Provide a suggestion where to start using the self-access materials Provide a suggestion where to start using the self-access materials

Why is the placement test based on package 5 only? Package 5 is designed specifically  to meet the language needs of Thai students.  to address the subject content of the Basic Education Curriculum B.E.2544 (A.D.2001).

 a ready-to-use set of paper-based self-access materials that are available for immediate use.  to cover a range of language levels; elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate.  to provide self-access learning which encourage independent learning (autonomous learners).

Why a computer-based placement test?  To integrate educational technology  To overwhelm some limitations of pencil- and-paper placement test  To provide more interaction and variety  To provide immediate use and result of the test  To be available over the internet

The End of the Placement Test Provide  the result of the test  the total marks for each skill  the total marks for the test  suggestions of where to start using self- access materials in SEAR that are appropriate to students’ language level

The Placement Test Part I listening Part II vocabulary Part III grammar Part IV reading Part V writing

Test Types Multiple Choice Matching Gap Filling

Part I Listening Q. 1-3 listening for understanding instructions Q.4-6 Listening for main idea Q. 7-9 listening for specific information Q.10 listening for differentiating sounds Q.11 guessing meaning from words or context Q.12 listening for real-life applications

Part II Vocabulary package 5 & frequent use ***** 2 items **** 2 items *** 3 items ** 2 items * 3 items

Part III Grammar Levels & lang. points Elementary (4 items) tense relative pronoun adjective gerund Pre-intermediate (4 items) tense preposition passive voice Intermediate (4 items) NC/NU conjunction if conditional wish

Part IV Reading Levels & strategies Elementary (4 items) surveying or previewing the text predicting referring Pre-intermediate (4 items) inference main idea scanning for specific information Intermediate (4 items) inference main idea using dictionaries

Part V Writing Levels & strategies Elementary (4 items) descriningpeople describingprocess givingopinions Pre-intermediate (4 items) describing people describing process reporting writing Intermediate (4 items) describing people narrating past experience giving opinions

Pilot Test

Pilot Test Feedback Overview There are some errors to correct e.g. repeated options, misspelling. Listening part is their favourite one. They like it better than the paper-based test. They accept the result of the test.

Feedback from Pilot Test M.4 There is no problem with the instructions The test can maintain their interest. They like e.g. colour, decoration, movement. They need to listen to the text in the listening part more than twice The grammar part is the most difficult one.

Feedback from Pilot Test M.5 She needs to speak like the speakers in the listening part. She likes the test on computer-based, rather than paper and pencil. M.6 Listening part is easy because the sound is clear. He is satisfied with the language level.

Limitations & Improvements Computer skills Ready-made program - error correction - time setting - font size - command input Time consuming

Available On-line & Free Download Placement_test.htm

Thank You