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srs3829
Joined: 09 Sep 2014
Posts: 30
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 Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:12 pm Post subject: BEST Plus certification? |
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I'm considering moving to Mexico to teach English. I would be starting at/near the bottom of the ladder, as I would have a BA (not education-related ), a few months' ESL volunteer experience, and TESOL certification. My Spanish is very limited; I'm working on it.
The place where I ESL volunteer offers the opportunity to become certified as a BEST Plus examiner. Would obtaining this certification be of any use in Mexico? Would it help me get a job, even indirectly (i.e. on paper, would it lend more depth to my limited experience)?
The certification would be free of cost to me, and would consist of a 6-hour workshop in which I'd be taught how to evaluate testtakers' proficiency in conversational English, in accordance with BP's rubric. After getting certified, I would try to get some experience giving the test.
Thank you for any advice you can give! |
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MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I've never heard of that exam and I don't think it would help you land a job. But if its free for you why not? You'll probably learn some things about evaluating speaking ability and that will be of professional use in practice. There are more reasons to do professional development than just getting jobs. |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| MotherF wrote: |
| I've never heard of that exam and I don't think it would help you land a job. But if its free for you why not? You'll probably learn some things about evaluating speaking ability and that will be of professional use in practice. There are more reasons to do professional development than just getting jobs. |
This.
Way back when I was a volunteer tutor for a U.S.-based community ESL program, we used the BEST test as a placement tool for our students as well as to document their improvement for grant providers. Assuming this is the same BEST test that I'm thinking of, you'll not likely ever use this training outside of the U.S. But as MotherF pointed out, there's lots of other good reasons to do the training. |
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coder
Joined: 12 Jun 2014
Posts: 94
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject: BEST TEST URL? |
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delete
Last edited by coder on Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 2:36 am Post subject: Re: BEST TEST URL? |
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| coder wrote: |
| Could either the OP or esl_prof provide us with a URL describing the tests they're talking about? If they're any kind of official test, they must have a website. Thanks. |
The last time I had any direct experience with the BEST test was 1991. It's quite possible that it no longer exists. Nowadays, the CASAS test seems to be the preferred evaluation tool for the community ESL programs I've been involved with as of late, so maybe BEST is no longer an alternative. |
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Dragonlady
Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 720
Location: Chillinfernow, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:30 am Post subject: Re: BEST TEST URL? |
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| esl_prof wrote: |
| coder wrote: |
| Could either the OP or esl_prof provide us with a URL describing the tests they're talking about? If they're any kind of official test, they must have a website. Thanks. |
The last time I had any direct experience with the BEST test was 1991. It's quite possible that it no longer exists. Nowadays, the CASAS test seems to be the preferred evaluation tool for the community ESL programs I've been involved with as of late, so maybe BEST is no longer an alternative. |
I had a tiny bit o' luck searching using BES Test. I suspect whatever was once in place has gone the way of the Dodo.
| Quote: |
| The Basic English Skills Test (BEST) is a criterion-referenced test of elementary level listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills for use with limited-English-speaking adults who have studied English as a Second Language in a competency-based program. The Core Section is.... |
http://www.ericae.net/eac/eac0010.htm
DL |
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esl_prof
Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt
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| Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 11:10 am Post subject: Re: BEST TEST URL? |
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| Dragonlady wrote: |
I had a tiny bit o' luck searching using BES Test. I suspect whatever was once in place has gone the way of the Dodo.
| Quote: |
| The Basic English Skills Test (BEST) is a criterion-referenced test of elementary level listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills for use with limited-English-speaking adults who have studied English as a Second Language in a competency-based program. The Core Section is.... |
http://www.ericae.net/eac/eac0010.htm |
Yes, that's the one I was referring to. Published in 1984. I'm guessing you're right. It's just a footnote in the history of adult ESL instruction. |
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