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Unit 15 Tesol

This document discusses different types of assessment used in language teaching. It defines informal assessment as observation-based assessment without grades, and formal assessment as tests and exams with marks or grades. Key concepts covered include diagnostic tests to identify learner weaknesses, placement tests to determine appropriate class level, progress tests for formative feedback, achievement tests on covered content, and proficiency tests on general language mastery. Formative assessment gradually measures progress while summative assessment evaluates learning outcomes at the end of a course. Self-assessment and peer-assessment are also discussed. Different assessment types are exemplified and teachers are advised to match assessments and teaching methods.

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991 views18 pages

Unit 15 Tesol

This document discusses different types of assessment used in language teaching. It defines informal assessment as observation-based assessment without grades, and formal assessment as tests and exams with marks or grades. Key concepts covered include diagnostic tests to identify learner weaknesses, placement tests to determine appropriate class level, progress tests for formative feedback, achievement tests on covered content, and proficiency tests on general language mastery. Formative assessment gradually measures progress while summative assessment evaluates learning outcomes at the end of a course. Self-assessment and peer-assessment are also discussed. Different assessment types are exemplified and teachers are advised to match assessments and teaching methods.

Uploaded by

toantran87
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PART 3

BACKGROUND
TO
LANGUAGE TEACHING

UNIT 15
ASSESSMENT TYPES

Definitions
+ Assessment
+ Informal assessment
+ Formal assessment

assessment
+ The act of judging learners
performance by collecting information
about it
+ Learners are assessed for different
reasons with different kinds of tests.

informal assessment
+ The act of observing learners to see
how well they are doing and giving
comments on their performance
+ Requires careful observation, notetaking and lots of effort on the part of
the teacher
+ Assessment results may not be
reported to the education institution.

formal assessment
+ The act of assessing learners with
tests, exams or assignment projects
involving marks or grades
+ The tests may belong to many
categories and the assessment process
maybe immediate or gradual.

Key concepts
+ diagnostic test
+ placement test
+ progress test
+ achievement test
+ proficiency test
+ formative assessment
+ summative assessment
+ self-assessment vs. peer assessment

diagnostic test
+ Carried out at the beginning of a
course
+ Used for finding out what learners
know and do not know
=> Determining what to focus on in the
process of teaching and learning

placement test
+ Carried out before the start of a
course
+ Used for placing students
appropriate classes

into

=> Application of the right teaching


methods and techniques

progress test
+ Used for formative assessment
+ Carried out weekly or fortnightly
+ May include many types of tests: 15minute test, 60-minute test, projects,
etc.

achievement test
+ Used for checking how much
knowledge a learner has gained after a
period of time
+ What is taught is what is tested
+ E.g.: mid-term test, final test

proficiency test
+ Used for checking how proficient a
learner has become in a language
+ Does not depend on what and how
much a learner has studied something
+ More prone to checking the general
mastery of a language than what is
taught (unlike the achievement test)

formative assessment
+ Also called gradual assessment
+ Takes place for a long time
+ May include both formal and informal
assessment
+ Can give students more chance to
improve and let them know what to
improve in their performance

summative assessment
+ Takes place at the end of a course
+ May take place in the form of a
course-end test or final project
+ The progress is not measured, only
the eventual result at the time the
assessment occurs.

self-assessment vs. peer-assessment


self-assessment
+ The act of assessing ones own progress
and achievement
+ Influenced by subjectivity => a clear set of
criteria is even more necessary

peer-assessment
+ Done by a friend or classmate
+ More objectivity => mistakes/errors that
may not be seen can be found

ATTENTION TO TEACHERS
+ Assessment can affect what is taught, how
lessons are taught and the motivation of learners.
+ Some tests are easy to design and mark, but
may not reflect the true performance of test
takers (i.e. learners sitting the tests).
+ The content and methods of progress and
achievement tests should reflect the content and
methods of teaching.
+ Informal assessment is often more suitable for
young learners.

What types of test and assessment?


1. A friend gives comments on the
learners essay.
Answer: peer-assessment
2. A test is held before the course starts
to put students in suitable classes.
Answer: placement test
3. After a semester, a final test is held.
Answer: achievement test and summative
assessment

4. There is a test every week.


Answer: progress test + formative
assessment
5. The teacher designs the test to see if her
students may lack knowledge in a grammar
point.
Answer: diagnostic test
6. A learner is listening to a recording of her
friends speech and making comments on it.
Answer: peer-assessment

7. The students can improve their


performance if they do not do well at a
certain time.
Answer: progress test and formative
assessment
8. They can learn and practice what they
want, but they are going to take the same
test.
Answer: proficiency test

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