Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

Today is "oral English" test day. A few weeks back I advised the persons putting the test together to base it on the New Parade texts I use for my spoken English classes. I didn't create the test, I am not administring the test, heck I didn't even get a copy beforehand to review with the students!

So, I casually eavesdrop on one test giver and the student she is testing. This is what she's trying to accomplish:

"What picture has the same beginning sound as 'zoo'?" Now I understood it after she repeated it 2 times. The student didn't understand until a 3rd repeat! He then pointed to the picture of the zebra. He wasn't required to say "zebra" - - only point. Perhaps this was just the listening comprehension portion of the spoken test. So her enunciation wasn't top-notch and I'm not sure if he could have said the word or not (I'm sure he could've - - he's one of the brighter bulbs in my class!).

Don't get me wrong, I am SO happy that I don't have to administer it, really and truly. However, I just think it might have made more sense to recruit some of the foreign teachers whose English MAY be better than some of the Chinese English teachers and, I don't know swap around classes or something so they could administer the test. Of course, most of the FTs (including myself) may have been a little harsher in the grading process. Just a thought though - - 4 more days to go!!

[InTime]

Yes...this dysfunctional incident is reflective of a profound socio-cultural TRAUMATOLOGY...

In the ancient Chinese survival mechanism
as a passive response
to feudal-authoritarian socio-political Domination dynamics

Crystalized in the oft-heard psycho-saying:

MEI YOU BANFA

[latefordinner]

Kev, the only thing worse than doing the testing and assessment is dealing with the class placements after the Chinese teachers have done the testing and assessment.