1. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College Diagnostic Exercise

2. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Background The decision to implement a diagnostic exercise was based on the need to identify students at risk (as part of our early intervention policy) the need for an additional tool to determine English levels which may not be reflected in measurements of English proficiency A recognition that there is a reluctance on the part of students to self-select English support

3. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas The diagnostic exercise provides a means of: Identifying students who require extra support with their language skills Alerting students to that fact they need extra support Gaining more information about the English entry pathways and assisting benchmarking of the various pathways Gaining more information about the background of students who require support i.e. nationality, educational background, English level.

4. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Description of Diagnostic Exercise CURTIN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE Diagnostic Exercise (Certificate IV) Trimester 2 2008 NAME__________________________CIC ID NUMBER _________ NATIONALITY: _________________ FIRST LANGUAGE: ________________ ARE YOU AN OVERSEAS STUDENT LOCAL STUDENT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN AUSTRALIA? ________________ HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION ACHIEVED: _______________________ DESCRIBE ANY ENGLISH COURSES OR TESTS YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN (e.g. ELICOS; TOEFL; IELTS; IBT test, etc) and the GRADE/LEVEL ACHIEVED. E.g. IELTS 5 or ELICOS Upper Intermediate Pass ________________________________________________________________ WHICH COURSE ARE YOU COMPLETING? _______________________________________________________________ LIST THE UNITS YOU ARE TAKING THIS SEMESTER ________________________________________________________________ TASK: Write an essay of approximately 300 words on the following topic: What do you consider to be the main objectives of the government of a country to ensure the wellbeing of all its citizens?

5. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Delivery of Exercise All NEW students complete in week 1 of core classes Maximum 30 minutes duration Lecturers provided with instructions and advice for students to ensure consistency of delivery and to alleviate anxiety

6. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Assessment of exercise Marked by qualified ESL staff Marking criteria provided Scripts assessed as OK or REQUIRES SUPPORT Students identified are advised to enrol in Support program

7. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Tracking of Identified Students Notes made in MAZE (Information Management System) Students flagged on ENGTRAX – category created of all students identified and students who take up support program are given a green flag. Attendance monitored on a regular basis

8. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Reporting Report prepared at end of each trimester Compares performance of students identified who completed support program and those who did not Results used to inform academic department and to promote program at Orientation

9. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas A Comparison Of Performance Of Students Who Did EDP And Students Who Were Advised And Did Not Do EDP Semester 1 2008

10. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Problems posed by this exercise Does not assess all language areas Relies on cooperation of lecturing staff to administer exercise (some lecturers forget!) Not all students are present when exercise conducted Marking is onerous and may not be consistent

11. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Towards an On-line Diagnostic Exercise To be conducted as part of orientation program Multiple Choice Questions - assesses listening and reading comprehension and grammar Exercise is on a timer - maximum of 60 mins to complete Uses Flash – students cannot backtrack to change answers

12. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Towards an On-line Diagnostic Exercise Score emailed to student and College within several hours Students who score below a prescribed level (35) will be automatically enrolled No compulsion to attend but attendance monitored Information used to counsel students with poor progress

13. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas http://www.cic.wa.edu.au/eoutlook/school/ placement/ieltscurtin.html

14. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas English Development Program Free of charge 7 week program beginning week 2 of trimester 3 hour workshop offered 6 times per week Focus on grammar, sentence structure, paragraphs, essays, reports Individual assistance with assignments provided Program may be a condition of enrolment, students self-select or college enrols them as a result of diagnostic exercise

15. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Key Challenges Course needs to be perceived as a necessary adjunct to their studies Content needs to reflect discipline- specific skills Attendance – keeping them there once they have enrolled

16. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042G Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Ways we are trying to address challenges: Introduced a PASS/FAIL requirement for students with a condition – based on assessment and attendance Attendance reminders sent on regular basis Students need to complete a support program prior to obtaining individual assistance