CELTA/PTLLS A SSESSMENT AND L EARNING R ECORD KEEPING

S ESSION 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.

W HAT 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

D ISCUSS 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 achievement What do you assess? speaking & listening, reading and writing

W HEN AND WHY DO WE ASSESS ? WhenWhyType (the technical name for this) At enrolment/interview Near beginning of course During End

W HEN AND WHY DO WE ASSESS ? WhenWhy Type (the technical name for this) At enrolment/interview To ascertain language ability and level To identify learning difficulties To 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 During To 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

P LACEMENT TESTING Discussion Look at the initial assessment materials. What information will they give you about students before they join a class?

G ENERALLY W HAT DO YOU ASSESS ? Speaking and Listening (accuracy and fluency) Reading Writing Grammar Vocabulary Appropriacy

H OW 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?

A DVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ? Peer assessment:Self-assessment:

Activity What do the following features of assessment mean to you? validity reliability fairness sufficiency

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 E XAMS Discussion 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

D IFFERENT EXAMS AVAILABLE Cambridge International Exams 1. KET (Key English Test): Entry 2 2. PET (Preliminary English Test): Entry 3 3. FCE (First Certificate): L1 4. Advanced: L2 5. Proficiency: L3 6. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

D IFFERENT 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 the standard is the same at each level.

D IFFERENT EXAMS AVAILABLE Activity Getting to grips with different ESOL exams. Look at the exams and decide if they are fow lower or higher levels.

H OW IMPORTANT ARE ESOL S KILLS FOR L IFE 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.

R ECORD KEEPING Look at the activities together on the subject of record keeping.

R ECORD KEEPING Tracking sheets Initial assessment tests Observation records ILPS Assignment Front Sheets Learner diaries Photos Results/grades Portfolio

W HAT 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