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formerflautist

Joined: 30 May 2006
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject: Speaking Tests |
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My public high school wants me to give the students speaking tests. It's no big deal as far as coming up with questions to ask them. The problem is that I've never done a speaking test before so I want to know about how to schedule the students, how many questions are appropriate, what you use to score (scan tron?) and scoring categories.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
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mehamrick

Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Help me here... Are you supposed to speak and they write down the answers? or are they supposed to be doing the speaking? Depending on which one there could be several possiblities to this.. |
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formerflautist

Joined: 30 May 2006
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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I ask them questions and they answer. I grade them on their speaking ability. |
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oneofthesarahs

Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:38 am Post subject: |
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I give speaking tests, but the tests are pre-set. I show each student a picture, and then ask them a question about the picture. I grade based on an ABC system, nothing lower than a C. I usually just break it down for how many questions they get incorrect per total questions. So say there were only three questions on the test. Missing one equals an A, two is a B and three is a C. |
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crsandus

Joined: 05 Oct 2004
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:48 am Post subject: |
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oneofthesarahs wrote: |
I give speaking tests, but the tests are pre-set. I show each student a picture, and then ask them a question about the picture. I grade based on an ABC system, nothing lower than a C. I usually just break it down for how many questions they get incorrect per total questions. So say there were only three questions on the test. Missing one equals an A, two is a B and three is a C. |
Do public schools insist on you giving every student at least a C? I remember when I went to elementary school that grades were inflated but I guess I'm so used to the engineering college system where on the first day the professor tells the class "half of you will get B- and better, the other half won't".
As an English teacher, do you have the "authority" to fail a student or does your co-teacher/principal overrule you in the end? I'm guessing the answer to this is "it varies". |
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Hanson

Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: |
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Here's a simple, quick, and fairly good way of doing a speaking level-test. Give them 7 questions worth 5 points each (5 being excellent, 1 being terrible). Each question should be increasing in difficulty and focus on a particular part of speech.
For example, question 1 could be "what's your hobby?", question 5 could be "what would you do if I gave you a million dollars?" and question 7 would be "explain what you think the biggest problem facing Korea is and why". (these are just examples - feel free to modify)
If the students are able to answer, continue the interview through question 7. If the students start getting 1's or 2's (score per question), it's time to stop the interview, thank them for coming in and add up the scores.
The range should tell you what their level is. |
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ttompatz

Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Speaking Tests |
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formerflautist wrote: |
My public high school wants me to give the students speaking tests. It's no big deal as far as coming up with questions to ask them. The problem is that I've never done a speaking test before so I want to know about how to schedule the students, how many questions are appropriate, what you use to score (scan tron?) and scoring categories.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
Available time is problematic.
If you are testing their speaking you can plan on 30 seconds per reply.
5 questions with time to come in and go out out will take about 3 minutes per person (experience talking here). Low level students will take much longer to answer and may blow your time estimates out the window.
Multiply that by the number of students you have to test. 100 students will take 6 hours or so of real time to test fairly and accurately.
How much time do you have allowed to you?
It has been my experience that Korean teachers/administrators think this speaking test is a great idea but they also think you can test 40 students individually (one on one) in a 40 minute class.
To be really fair, 10 questions rated 1-10 with 10 being the best. 7 minutes per student.
To be realistic. 5 questions and 3 minutes per is hoping for a lot.
just my humble experience. |
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