Testing

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ESL forum > Techniques and methods in Language Teaching > Testing

Testing

portugal

Testing

Hello, I need HELPPPPP!
The problem is that I�ve always done my english tests, and some of them you can find in the site, but now we have to discuss the theory that is behind the production of these kind of assessement. Therefore I would like some help in finding some reading about this subject, in order to support and investigate my opinion in my school discussion. For instance, I usually add a listening exercise on my tests, as well as reading comprehension exercises, grammar, lexical and a composition. However my superior thinks that we shouldn�t mix all these exercises. What�s your opinion?
Thanks, again, for your help,

XXX, from Portugal
T�nia

2 Oct 2008

Zora

Hi Portugal.

I personally think that, depending on the level of the students, that that amount in a test could be quite overwhelming to them. If it were up to me, I would divide the exam into two or even three parts - reading and composition one day, the listening another and the grammatical another or the listening together with the grammar. I find that the students feel stressed if there is too much on an exam and preform better when concepts are presented to them in a more individual way... But that is just my opinion.

2 Oct 2008

andreaewa

I think that you have to assess the same way you teach. If they are exposed and they practice the 4 skills, test, will include them all (or at least 3, because speaking deserves more time). When you prepare a test you need to have a context (all the exercises related) and a purpose. but if you what to have a the point of view of a proffesional in assessment, I�ll leave you some links here
Good luck!
http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/assessing/asindex.htm
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/pigs/pig9.htm
http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-1/esl.htm
http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/tannen01.html

2 Oct 2008

cgato

Hi!

My tests are divided in four : text with reading comprehension on a theme we�ve worked in classes, vocabulary related to that theme, grammar and composition. This allows to evaluate the writing and reading skills! Of course , on higher levels, the grammar and vocabulary groups are intended to help weaker students because we can evaluate them by the reading comprehension exercises and the compositions. All my colleagues at my school do this type of tests. The listening and speaking skills are evaluated in classes and by an oral test! There are many tests available, for example on the Oxford�s site. They can be dowloaded and they can give you more ideas!

Good luck!

2 Oct 2008