Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

HOw do you test the students after they finish a chapter or unit? Do you make the tests and test them on the grammar and vocab taught in the unit? Do if they studied Passive, you give them a passive test?

Or do you copy the tests and test them on the format? If they study note taking for Listening, you give them a test with the same format?

[ilaria]

Hi Naturegirl. I tend more towards giving the students plenty of practice with the actual format of the test itself. If they've had lessons on the passive voice, and reviewed it later in the course (little and often!), and done homework and computer-based exercises where I can look at their scores, I will have a good idea of whether they need more practice in this area or not.

The trick with exam courses is finding a good balance between really improving the students' English (which takes time, ability, and effort from them), and improving their test-taking skills and their knowledge of that particular exam format - this is usually more popular with the students, as it tends to produce immediate results.

What exam are your students preparing for, and which coursebook(s) are you using? Are you using a book dedicated to that test? This often helps with finding the balance I mentioned above - you can rely on the coursebook writers' experience. The disadvantage of these books is that they become obsolete every time the exam authorities tinker with the test.

[naturegirl321]

I agree with you. For some reason at my school, it's me against everyone else. No one belives in giving practice for the actual format, which might explain why after studying Starters, Movers, Flyers, PET; FCE for two years and CAE for a year, which would be a total of 10 years , they got Cs on the FCE even though they were studying the CAE.

They're used to getting all As, but doesn't show that they are actually learning about the exams. SO when they got Bs on my exams, the parents complained. They would rather have me give easier exams and have them pass.

I don't agree with that. I do gie them grammar as well, but not that much. I've been teaching FCE and CAE for three years. WE use the Masterclass book with the 2003 updates
of these books is that they become obsolete every time the exam.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I agree that teaching to the test is the best idea (at least in the short term). Of course, it depends on the length of the course and how far out the test is.
My thinking is: An exam course is an exam course. It is not a grammar refresher. This is especially true when time is of the essence.
If it's two months before the test, the student should have his/her grammar in order. I completely focus on strategies for taking the test itself (of course I'll answer specific grammar/usage questions if they come up).
If we've got more time I usually throw in some grammar/usage stuff, especially in those areas where they need help most (for example: articles, passive, perfect tenses).