Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smee]

There's an English test coming up in my city next month, and I've been deputized to prep students for it. They haven't told me anything about the test beyond "maybe group discussion."

I have graded one of these two years ago, and at the time I asked each student a couple personal questions and graded for grammar, pronunciation, fluence, and accuracy (I think). Then we had a group discussion where I would read something and ask a few questions based on it. I think there was also a debate on some hot-button issues.

Does anyone have any experience grading these or prepping students for them? My instinct tells me to just create a bunch of sample questions and review them, but without knowing exactly how the test is, I don't want to steer too hard in any direction.

Have you just prepped general speaking skills? Pronunciation?

I'd like to do the best I can, and get the students prepped as well, even though the organizers' ignorance does make it seem like an afterthought.

[shocking]

Go on the Cabridge ESOl website and have a look at the material for the KET exam syllabus. You can download the materials and questions from the website. It will also give you a grading scheme and a guide to how you ascertain the level of the student. Try the Trinity spoken english exams as well. Both of these releate to the C E F framework in Europe.

It might be a bit difficult for your students so downgrade the questions but it will give you a framework you can use. Cambridge exams are always done in pairs so this simulates a group discusion to a certain extent.

Hope this was helpful.

[Scott in Incheon]

I have done a lot of this in the past when I was in Hong Kong. I have quite a few ideas on what you can do...too much for a post.

PM me and we can exchange phone numbers...I do it a lot quicker over the phone.

[Smee]

Great, thanks for the tips. I'll take a look at that site tonight, and I'll PM you as well Scott, and maybe I can give you a call later in the week.