Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

I Want To Observe Your Test

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Whistleblower



Joined: 03 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:08 am    Post subject: I Want To Observe Your Test Reply with quote

Hello. I was testing speaking of employees today at a large chemical company. I had a very senior executive today from the large Korean company request that he be present for testing (predominately speaking) of their employees so that he can judge their speaking ability.

The test required standard procedures and required them to be held in an appropriate manner as there is quality assurance and other areas of concern when examining with clients. So I politely declined the executive's request due to the potential embarrassment for people taking the test as well as not following the rules of the exam.

I told him, if he wanted to compare the test results and find out about what the students thought of it, it would be better to see the breakdown of results which the client receives and he could also view a training video. He also took the test and I mentioned to him that it is just the same test which he took.

He reacted incredibly unprofessional. He started rising his voice and I requested that he be taken from the room so that I could continue examining. But at which point is an executive able to view, participate and judge the testing of a well defined exam? Does he have any right? Did I cause embarrassment to his request? Should he have stayed? I just need some advice from the pro's.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
loose_ends



Joined: 23 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:14 am    Post subject: Re: I Want To Observe Your Test Reply with quote

Whistleblower wrote:
Hello. I was testing speaking of employees today at a large chemical company. I had a very senior executive today from the large Korean company request that he be present for testing (predominately speaking) of their employees so that he can judge their speaking ability.

The test required standard procedures and required them to be held in an appropriate manner as there is quality assurance and other areas of concern when examining with clients. So I politely declined the executive's request due to the potential embarrassment for people taking the test as well as not following the rules of the exam.

I told him, if he wanted to compare the test results and find out about what the students thought of it, it would be better to see the breakdown of results which the client receives and he could also view a training video. He also took the test and I mentioned to him that it is just the same test which he took.

He reacted incredibly unprofessional. He started rising his voice and I requested that he be taken from the room so that I could continue examining. But at which point is an executive able to view, participate and judge the testing of a well defined exam? Does he have any right? Did I cause embarrassment to his request? Should he have stayed? I just need some advice from the pro's.


That means he's the boss. You need to learn where you stand in the order of things.

It makes life here a lot more tolerable.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whistleblower



Joined: 03 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

He was the boss of the company but I represent a well known examining company when I start the tests and I must adhere to rules and regulations. The fact is no one observes a speaking test and that the test is recorded and 2nd or 3rd marked. Yes he is the boss, but he has no right to ask to observe a test that he has just taken. Am I wrong in this assumption?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ramen



Joined: 15 Apr 2008

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If it's against your company's rules and regulations, you have every right and authority to say "NO".

It doesn't matter if he was LMB.

Good job!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Young FRANKenstein



Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whistleblower wrote:
Yes he is the boss, but he has no right to ask to observe a test that he has just taken. Am I wrong in this assumption?

I agree with you:

1) They hired your company to do the testing
2) the testing has strict procedures and rules
3) if the boss doesn't like the way your company does its testing, he is welcome to hire another company to do so in the future

They hired you to do a job. You did it. Tough shit that he wasn't allowed to change the rules the way he wants.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whistleblower



Joined: 03 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It was kind of funny in the end. The guy thought he could have his way and ended up sulking when he realised that it was in breach of examining regulations. Still he had the gall,

Chief Cheese - "I shall do a deal, I observe one exam. How about that?"
Me - "No. It isn't fair for the rest of the people taking the test. You had no one observe you and I don't think it is right for you to observe the test. Why do you want to observe the test?"
Chief Cheese - "I would like to compare the test with the results you provide."
Me - "The results are broken down into a format that would show you information on the performance of the candidates. So again you cannot observe the test."

When he started sulking and rising his voice like a child, I asked a member of staff to remove him. The guy realised that he breaching rules but it took like 15 minutes of delicate talking to make him realise. I don't like to over generalise but the most senior staff don't realise that the rules effect them as well. He was one of those fat adjosshi types who likes to bend the rules his way. Shame he is the director of HR, wouldn't like him as a boss.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PRagic



Joined: 24 Feb 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now find some way of communicating to him through a 3rd party that. because of him, you lost face and have bad kibun. Let him make it up to you.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
yeremy



Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Location: Anywhere's there's a good bookstore.

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:39 pm    Post subject: CCTV Reply with quote

What about setting him up outside of the testing room in front of a CCTV monitor? Does that interfere with your protocols? That may placate him and you.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Whistleblower



Joined: 03 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did infact ask if there were CCTV available in the room but the organiser said there was not. So tough luck for the Korean adjosshi. What is about some Koreans who think that they don't have to obey rules and they are above the law?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
some waygug-in



Joined: 25 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some?

I guess it's partly due to the culture where deception is considered "wise" and
the education system where cheaters are allowed to prosper.

I do agree with your decision, but in the culture we are in....

I'm surprised that he wasn't able to have his way.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ED209



Joined: 17 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You did right. Expect complaints.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International