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Linguist
Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 202
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:30 am Post subject: ESL teachers: Have they passed their literacy tests? |
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One in four trainee teachers is a dunce: Thousands struggle to pass simple literacy and numeracy tests
By SARAH HARRIS
Last updated at 11:50 PM on 10th December 2010
Almost one in four trainee teachers cannot do simple sums and a fifth have problems with spelling, grammar and punctuation, worrying figures revealed yesterday.
Thousands repeatedly flunk basic numeracy and literacy tests and seek unlimited resits to pass.
Critics fear the poor quality of the next generation of teachers will have a devastating impact on their pupils.
Trainees have to pass basic skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT (information and communication technology) before they can qualify as teachers. The pass marks are just 60 per cent.
Worrying: Trainee teachers have to sit literacy, numeracy and ICT (information and communication technology) exams to qualify. But many fail to obtain the 60% necessary to pass
The latest figures from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) reveal that in 2008/9 33,517 trainees passed their numeracy and literacy tests.
Some 77.7 per cent passed their numeracy test first time; 9.5 per cent (3,190) made two attempts and 12.8 per cent (4,298) � or one in eight � had at least three attempts.
In literacy, 80 per cent (26,814) passed first time; 11.6 per cent (3,892) had two attempts and 8.4 per cent had at least three.
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The figures do not detail how many times trainees resit the tests beyond three. However one is reported to have taken the tests 27 times before achieving the pass rate.
Standards were far higher five years ago when would-be teachers sailed through their tests without relying on retakes.
For example, of the 32,717 trainees who passed their numeracy test in the academic year 2003/4, a respectable 83.6 per cent did so first time.
Enlarge
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said the tests are not �rocket science�.
He said: �It�s a very basic assessment so it�s very worrying that so many would-be teachers are not competent in basic literacy and numeracy.
�The fact they seem to be getting worse is especially concerning. If a teacher cannot tell what is appropriate or what is a mistake in maths, then how are young people going to learn?
�The Government is right to crack down here as we are just perpetuating the poor use of language and lack of skills in maths if we allow people who cannot handle words and numbers into the classroom.�
The skills tests were introduced by Labour amid concerns that teacher training did not guarantee a thorough enough grounding in literacy, numeracy and comprehension.
Passing the numeracy test has been a requirement of Qualified Teacher Status since 2000. Passing tests in literacy and ICT were made compulsory the following year.
Students currently sit the online tests in the final year of their teacher training. They were originally allowed only four or five attempts to pass the tests.
But Labour scrapped the rule in 2001 and gave trainees unlimited resits.
The numeracy test lasts 48 minutes and contains 12 mental arithmetic questions to be completed without the aid of a calculator.
Candidates are allowed to use pen and paper.
There are also longer questions involving interpreting statistical information and working out basic percentages and ratios.
The 45-minute literacy test is in four parts � spelling, grammar, punctuation and comprehension.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1337602/Thousands-teachers-struggle-pass-simple-literacy-numeracy-tests-worrying-figures-reveal.html
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These little darlings then take a CELTA, get a pass, and then come to teach in the Middle East. Lovely  |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:47 am Post subject: |
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The Age of Universal Literacy is over. It did not last long. The more I look at things the more I see that Fukuyama's idea of "The Great Disruption" of around 1965 is all too real ! |
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sheikher
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Those ESL teachers possessing literacy skills of dubious quality qualify for a government job in KSA.
Incompetent teachers should be transferred to other departments
By MD RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 6, 2010 23:11 Updated: Dec 6, 2010 23:11
RIYADH: The Shoura Council recommended Monday that incompetent teachers be transferred to other government departments without infringing their rights and privileges as citizens.
Monday�s session was chaired by Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh.
Secretary-General Muhammad Al-Ghamdi said Monday that a set of recommendations was delivered to the Ministry of Education when its annual report was discussed at the council. The report was presented by the council�s education and scientific affairs committee.
He said members strongly recommended that there should be a mechanism to ensure scientific and professional evaluations of teachers and their performance. He pointed out that any teacher who does not comply with the expectations of the ministry should be allowed to find another suitable position according to his capabilities.
Appreciating the role played by the Ministry of Education in imparting knowledge among children, the members indicated that the curriculum, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities of the school be based on the teachings of the Holy Qur�an and the traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and in line with the culture of Saudi society. The house also unanimously agreed that the contract for the transport of teachers, college students and children be given to companies in the private sector.
The members urged the ministry to find appropriate solutions for people who work on a part- time basis and teachers who retire early.
While finding solutions, the house felt that the ministry needed to make child-centered decisions to help students to carry out their academic activities as envisaged.
Al-Ghamdi said that the council also recommended that the ministry consider a program to integrate special needs children into regular educational institutions according to the �education for fall� theory expounded by the UN.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child calls for making primary education compulsory, available and free to all children. It also requires that children with disabilities have access to and receive education in a manner that will help each child achieve the fullest possible social integration and individual development.
The Kingdom is a signatory to the convention. The council also recommended that the ministry liaise with institutions that offer foreign private education in the Kingdom to identify their problems and rectify them.
May I just interlope here with this hijack tidbit for Mr Scot's consideration? Fukuyama later retracted his estimation and proved conclusively that the "Great Disruption"'s inception was rooted in June 1967 with the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
You can look it up. |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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He may have recanted but his original idea was sound. Bah humbug to all of you ! AND the compliments of the season ! |
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Sheikh N Bake

Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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While discussing literacy, that Prof. Smithers said �The fact they seem to be getting worse is especially concerning...'
Well...As far as I'm concerned, I'm not yet convinced that "concerning" should be used as an adjective... |
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sheikher
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291
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killthebuddha
Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 144 Location: Assigned to the Imperial Gourd
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Sheikh N Bake wrote: |
While discussing literacy, that Prof. Smithers said �The fact they seem to be getting worse is especially concerning...'
Well...As far as I'm concerned, I'm not yet convinced that "concerning" should be used as an adjective... |
Etymology
From concern + -ing. The adjective and preposition follow from the verb.
Adjective
concerning (comparative more concerning, superlative most concerning)
1. Causing concern; worrisome.
Preposition
concerning
1. Regarding, respecting.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/concerning
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/concerning_2
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/passive3a.html
Of course, I make no claim whether "concerning" SHOULD be used as an adjective, only that it is permissible and not without precedent. I leave all normative judgments and pronouncements to the experts.
--ktb
Last edited by killthebuddha on Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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I'm concerned concerning the direction this thread is taking.
Regards,
John |
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killthebuddha
Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 144 Location: Assigned to the Imperial Gourd
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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johnslat wrote: |
I'm concerned concerning the direction this thread is taking.
Regards,
John |
How So johnslat?
"Concern should drive us into action, not into a depression." "Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden." "In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind's concern is charity." "Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." "The pedigree of honey Does not concern the bee; A clover, anytime, to him Is aristocracy."
Oh, I think I understand your concern. Perhaps you thought that by "expert" I was (sarcastically) referencing the poster to whom I was responding. I was not. I had in mind such as these:
"concerning/concerned: concerning is only a preposition meaning regarding or related to [The matter was concerning accuracy.]: concerned is an adjective meaning worried or anxious [She was concerned about the problem]. Never! Never! Never! The problem was concerning to him. Never!"
http://users.tns.net/~pamrider/lister3
Thanks for the clarification.
--ktb |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Dear ktb,
I'm concerned concerning the lack of concern concerning the concerns of the concerned OP.
(Have you ever noticed that when you repeat a word - or a slight variation thereof - many times, the meaning starts to blur?)
Regards,
John |
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sheikher
Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Is this of concern?
Having had experience and interaction for several years with UGRU and ESL instructors, I have to say that in the main, I have never met a sorrier bunch of individuals generally. While there were some, even many, outstanding exceptions, I found the majority lacking creativity, inspiration and originality. Many were there simply for the money and little else. It was clear by their demeanour, the forlorn expression on their faces and sluggish body language, reinforced by frequent snide and cynical comments, they disliked their job, their location, their students, their colleagues and even, it seemed to me, themselves. Or to be more precise, their current life situation.
Jaded, fatigued, disillusioned, bored, frustrated and having to suppress much of their real feelings and opinions, one could often spot them walking with bowed heads from classroom to classroom, brow-beaten and disheartened. Their perpetual debilitating fear of losing their jobs simply added to their over-all misery and humiliation.
The rare occasions one could see any semblance of joy and bliss on their weary, wrinkled faces was at the end of the semester when not a day (nay, an hour, a minute even), had passed when, embarking on a flight out of the UAE, they were putting as much distance as possible between themselves, their students and the deariness of their desert dungeon.
---
As an ESL instructor myself, I can honestly say that the observations made by LS are pretty accurate. I would even go as far as to say that the profession itself appears to attract the losers, the desperate, the odd, the creepy, the inept, the morally bankrupt, the weird and the emotionally maladjusted. I would also maintain that 60% of esl teachers fall into one of these categories, 20% are mediocre, while the remaining 20%, the top 20, I would place as excellent individuals in terms of being both professional and moral human beings.
http://www.uaeuniversitywatch.net/apps/forums/topics/show/3742575-esl-blues- |
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killthebuddha
Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 144 Location: Assigned to the Imperial Gourd
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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johnslat wrote: |
Dear ktb,
I'm concerned concerning the lack of concern concerning the concerns of the concerned OP.
(Have you ever noticed that when you repeat a word - or a slight variation thereof - many times, the meaning starts to blur?)
Regards,
John |
In Other Words johnslat,
You find a lack of concern concerning basic literacy concerning. I don't. My security threat level has passed "disconcerting" and is at "alarming."
--ktb |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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Dear sheikher,
"Jaded, fatigued, disillusioned, bored, frustrated and having to suppress much of their real feelings and opinions, one could often spot them . . ."
Ah, how those darn misplaced modifiers can trip one up.
Regards,
John |
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killthebuddha
Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 144 Location: Assigned to the Imperial Gourd
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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johnslat wrote: |
Dear sheikher,
"Jaded, fatigued, disillusioned, bored, frustrated and having to suppress much of their real feelings and opinions, one could often spot them . . ."
Ah, how those darn misplaced modifiers can trip one up.
Regards,
John |
No johnslat,
sheikher's speaker didn't misplace the modifiers--the speaker was being marvelously ironical through the appearance of misplaced modifiers. I like the effect; it screams "poor attitude" by psychological contagion.
(If you deliberately use a statement with irony you are being ironical, but if you say something without irony and in which people see irony, then you are being ironic. An ironical laugh could be sneering or sardonic but an ironic laugh is a sincere one that seems misplaced. In short, it's all about the perception of others.)
--ktb |
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johnslat

Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 13859 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Dear ktb,
Umm, OK, I guess (he wrote ironically.) But then, there's still the problem of pronoun reference:
"Jaded, fatigued, disillusioned, bored, frustrated and having to suppress much of their real feelings and opinions, one . . .
I'm NOT giving up easily.
Regards,
John |
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