| Testing, Evaluation and Assessment in EFL | | | | A variety of learning project types and methods of |
| You know the looks you're going to get whenever you | | | | presenting their project can be applied, allowing for |
| "announce" an upcoming quiz, test or evaluation. | | | | considerable latitude among a class group.o |
| Whether these are administration-mandated, | | | | Computer-Aided Language Evaluation |
| curriculum-included, make-up or "recuperation-type" | | | | If an extensive web quest is assigned to the EFL / |
| exams, English and foreign language learners alike, | | | | ESL learners, despite similar topics, websites visited, |
| loathe them. | | | | readings done and tasks involved, learners will |
| Why not try some different, unique evaluation methods | | | | internalize materials in completely different ways. |
| to help beat the "test-taking blues" which afflict virtually | | | | Evaluations can also be computer-based with the |
| all EFL / ESL learners? | | | | examination program itself actually checking and |
| Here are Seven Different Testing, Assessment and | | | | grading each learner's work. This is often most |
| Evaluation Types You Might Want to Consider:o | | | | attractive to English language teachers who are |
| Traditional Exams | | | | time-strapped or teach large, multi-level groups of |
| One all-too-often-used method of evaluating learner | | | | learners.o Peer Evaluation |
| knowledge and language skills is by using standard | | | | The learners themselves are often shocked at being |
| examination forms. These can be prepared individually | | | | given this option. They will prepare their own |
| by each teacher or educational institution, be locally, | | | | evaluations on the materials and skills they are working |
| regionally or globally produced. These types of | | | | with. They can also suggest or recommend exam |
| evaluations, however, favor those learners who are | | | | questions, evaluation activity types, length, frequency |
| "good" at taking tests.o Learner-Produced Portfolios | | | | and duration of exams and evaluations. "Oh yes", you |
| Another popular, but less-frequently-used form of EFL | | | | say, "they'll make up "easy" exams that everyone can |
| learner evaluation consists of examination of a | | | | surely pass". No, they won't. It's surprising to many |
| learner-produced portfolio of work at intervals during | | | | teachers just how thorough learner-produced exams |
| the school year or learning period. This allows for | | | | can be.o Learner-Prepared Presentations |
| considerably more latitude for the learners to | | | | You've planned a topic, resources and materials to be |
| demonstrate their knowledge and language skills in | | | | used, timing of class sessions, homework and |
| ways which are more appealing to them individually.o | | | | assignments. Why not allow the learners to present |
| Expository Essays | | | | what they've "internalized" in a presentation that |
| A favored form in use in the UK and Europe, learners | | | | they've selected for themselves? Most foreign |
| write detailed, annotated and foot-noted personal | | | | language learners are often delighted to do so. They'll |
| essays or compositions on focused topics. Their | | | | usually do a much better job of preparing, studying and |
| formal writing is based on what they have read up on, | | | | organizing their learning than many teachers imagine. |
| studied, experienced, been lectured to about or | | | | Eliminate the "Test-Taking Blues" |
| otherwise involved themselves with.o Learning | | | | At least now you have an expanded arsenal of |
| Projects | | | | methods to use for evaluation of your English or other |
| Time, resources, teacher skills and other factors | | | | foreign language learners during the course of a school |
| permitting, individual or small group projects can be | | | | term, semester or scholastic year. It won't completely |
| assigned which allow learners to demonstrate in-depth | | | | eliminate the "test-taking blues", but it's a step in the |
| investigation and learning on a focused theme or topic. | | | | right direction. |