Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

My school has decided to implement a new English program here for the Senior Two students (so close to the end of the school year - I don't know why). It is the IELTS (?) program and they will divide the students into two or three levels: either beginning and advanced or beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

The thing is, I've had these kids all year (since September 1st) and I was not asked for an iota of input on which level I feel each student belongs! Not only do we do spoken/oral english in my class but written, reading and listening comprehension, and vocabulary as well. So I have a pretty good idea on what each student is capable of. Last night they gave them a pre-test to determine which level they will go to starting next week and I was told this . . . last night. Why do I care? Well, I will have most of these kids next year so I will certainly be affected (this year's Senior One kids will be tested (???) sometime for their next year of Senior Two). I haven't seen the test nor the textbook as of yet so I don't know if it's multiple choice, essay writing, listening . . . . etc. If it's a lot of multiple choice, then I'm worried that some of these low-level students (in English) could slip right through and be placed in a higher level where they don't belong.

Also, I've been told this series is based on British english. I'm from the US so I'm not sure how effective I will be. I certainly won't negate any "British-isms", but it will certainly be a new challenge for me.

(By the way, I suggested last September or October that the English classes should be divided based on abilities and not to lump all the kids together simply because they shared the same classroom. I guess NOW it's a good idea because the director thought of it - - - but I'm not bitter - - really, I'm not - - - - okay, just a little.)

[Roger]

I guess your school wants to cash in on students going to study in Australia and Europe, and possibly, it wants to enhance its image.

This cannot be achieved by unilaterally imposing the IELTS on their own students. For Chinese to pass these tests they will need a more sophisticated learning experience.
You won't need to worry about the differences between British and American English; just accept that the spelling is not identical. Otherwise, the topics are as new to the CHinese as they may be to you; there is not going to be a major problem about this.

In China, the British Council is in overall supervision of IELTS. Ask your school to cooperate with them!

[millie]

Roger wrote

[eion_padraig]

The way the Chinese deal with the test is pretty funny. They try to memorize all the different tests and answers so when they take it, they hope it's a test that they remember the answers. They've introduced a new series of tests, but after one round of students take it, all the answers are posted on Chinese internet signs. They even have information about the testers so when students do the speaking tests they will know something about the tester.

This, I think, has the overall affect of inflating the scores for Chinese students compared to people in other countries. When the students go abroad to study, they often find their language skills are inadequate to deal with life in an English speaking country, or at the very least, they struggle more than other students coming from abroad.

Also, I'm pretty sure that my students ignored all my advice on how to take the test. Many of them would still read the whole passage, not read the questions before starting, not circle keywords, etc. What I find especially funny is how much more work many student put into trying to beat the test, than in trying to improve their English ability.

Have fun teaching them .

Eion

[hesterprynne]

I often plan lessons and tests around trying to beat the kid at- or capitalize on- their cheating strategies--maybe the whole memorization/cheating thing is why my school is only lettting FT's teach the beginners for IELTS- they said that studies proved that students were better able to memorize English vocabulary when they learned it in Chinese- huh? I would be interested in more teacher perceptions concerning this topic.

[arioch36]

[latefordinner]

Agreed, studying for (and teaching for) the test is a national epidemic. Perhaps I'm commanding the tide, but I always try to engage the kids' capacity for creative and critical thought. My Chinese co-teachers are mildly curious but generally unsupportive, and management thinks I'm crazy. What can I do but persist?
Arioch, don't worry. Scientific studies have proven that scientific sudies don't prove anything. Do what you know works.