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gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Another option is to have the students work in pairs and tape themselves while you do other activities with the other class members (could be written portion, practice, etc.). Of course later it means you have to listen to all the tapes grading on grammar, structural usage, fluency, etc... and weighting it as you see fit.

Afra · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 389

For speaking, the UCLES model of two students, one interlocutor who gives a global grade and one listener who gives a profile grade works well. The IELTS system of one student, one interviewer and one tape machine is quite intimidating.
How often or how much you should test is culturally based so agreement is hard to come by.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Interesting reading....I am starting my first assesments or exams tomorrow....my school has basically given me a free reign to do as I see fit.

I teach grade one college students and will simply have A, B, C or fail gradings.....accompanied by comments where applicable.

I have been keeping records for several weeks so if a good speaker fails, I may be more generous with them based on past performance, and if a previously bad speaker does well...I will question them, simply as they may have been drilled by a classmate.

im doing nothing fancy in class with them....tomorrow is just a "show and tell" lesson...and next week they will have 5 topics we can have question and answer sessions on....where I will attempt to draw them into a dialogue..

As I say, nothing fancy as their ability isnt great...I shall be expecting to fail about 20% though! The failure will be people who refuse to participate I think....I have a few classes like that. Not sure how the school will view it...

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

I have very little to guide me so I use the goalposts of the assignment. For example, if it is an argumentative essay, most of the credit goes to making logical arguments, anticipating the other side's points and successfully rebutting them. In oral presentations, being prepared and appearing professional goes a long way- their spoken English does not have to be perfect but they must make an effort and stay within the discussed guidelines. It's really up to your institution's and your priorities- what are you seeking to accomplish with a particular assignment?