Comprehensive Assessment Sarah Coutts

What level are your students?

In your opinion, what language skills do students have at the following proficiency levels? 1.High-Beginner 2.Low-Intermediate to Intermediate 3.High-Intermediate to Advanced

Common European Framework of Reference  What? Describes language ability on a 6 point scale from beginner (A1) to proficient (C2).  Where? Used throughout Europe for all languages  Why? Provides a clear standard for comparison and level assessment.

6 Levels A1 & A2Beginner B1 & B2Intermediate C1 & C2Advanced (University and Professional)

CEFR Example Questions A1 1.What is your name? 2.Where were you born? 3.How many brothers and sisters do you have? 4.What is your favourite colour? 5.What type of food do you like? 6.Where did you learn to speak English? 7.Do you speak any other languages? 8.Have you ever been on holiday, and where did you go? 9.Do you work or study? Tell me more about it? 10.What are your hobbies or interests?

CEFR Example Questions A2 Describe (or list) places, events (personal or not), incidents, daily habits, emotions (likes/ dislikes), experiences or impressions. Provide simple ‘for and against’ arguments on a familiar issue. List the main points of a topic which they have seen, heard, or read about. Speak about their personal future plans or planned actions. Express an opinion or attitude in simple terms or make simple comparisons.

Address (or respond to) invitations, suggestions, apologies, etc. Ask for clarifications or for help. Express a sequence of events using simple language structures using expressions like “at first”, “then”, “later”, “finally” and conjunctions like “and”, “but” or “because”. To repeat something in a proper manner (showing that they understand how one speaks in which situations), to act out a dialogue or a role appropriately. Participate in an exchange assuming the role of speaker or listener, taking and giving the floor smoothly

CEFR Example Questions B1 Tell me about an interesting place you have visited recently. How important is it to meet friends regularly? Describe the personality of your closest friend. Do you prefer cinema or television?

Describe a game you enjoy playing. Which subject at school do you think is the most useful and why? How do you like to celebrate a family event? In your country, how do you make guests feel welcome? Are you good at organizing your time?

CEFR Example Questions B2 It is difficult to make real friends on social networking sites. Technology has made communication much easier and more efficient.

There are many different types of creative hobbies, which are fun and useful. Studying creative subjects, such as art and music, at school is beneficial for young people.

Historical places should be preserved and looked after even if this is expensive. Schools should take children to the major historical places in their country.

CEFR Example Questions C1 You are giving a short talk on language learning. Discuss all the options and then decide which two from the list below are the best ways to learn a new language. -Joining a class -Talking to native speakers -Watching films in the language -Chatting in the language online -Studying with the use of books -Studying with the use of the internet

Your local council wants to make your local area more environmentally friendly. Discuss all the options from the list below and then decide which three you would choose as being the best way to make your area greener. -Recycling bins in public places -Solar panels on buildings & homes -Energy-efficient appliances in homes -Introduction of cycle paths -Educational programmes on the environment -Tree-planting schemes

IELTS

ASSESSMENT

I assess my students’ speaking skills by _________________________________. The criteria I use to assess students’ communication skills are ______________ _________________________________. The problems and challenges I have with evaluating my students’ skills are _______ _________________________________.

I assess my students’ speaking skills by _________________________________. The criteria I use to assess students’ communication skills are ______________ _________________________________. The problems and challenges I have with evaluating my students’ skills are _______ _________________________________.

Types of Assessments Oral Interview Class Presentation Role Play

Content Vocabulary Fluency Communication Skills Accuracy Accent Pronunciation

Content Vocabulary Fluency Communication Skills Accuracy Accent Pronunciation

Linguistic Structures 1.Linguistic Competence: Uses grammar accurately and with variety Adequate vocabulary “Clear” pronunciation 2.Functional Competence: Answer questions completely and logically

1.Strategic Competence: Can use repair strategies when conversation breaks down 2.Functional Competence: Uses language appropriate to the situation

EFL vs ESL?

Common Speaking Tasks Classroom Participation Pronunciation Vocabulary Weekly digital voice journals using prompts Questionnaires/Surveys Group oral tests

Assessment Model BEFORE -Review the criteria with students -Make sure students have seen similar items DURING -Provide enough time to complete the test fairly AFTER -Provide clear feedback that can be measured and allows for students to progress

FEEDBACK

What is the purpose of feedback?

You are assessing your students’ speaking proficiency by using a one-to-one interview. You’ve allocated 1 class lesson for the assessment and 2 minutes per student. What type of feedback would you give to the following students?

A student who: is a guaranteed A is a guaranteed fail is fluent but off topic is expected to do well, but performs poorly is expected to do poorly, but performs well

A student who: does not say anything in the assessment uses inappropriate language is very sensitive, but performs poorly is visibly anxious/upset you like, but is poor at English