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Soul Forest
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul Forest
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 Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject: level tests |
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I am looking for some samples of level tests that schools might use. It could be for various levels, ranging from elementary to adult. Do any of the big (or small) schools have copies of their level placement tests online for viewing?
It's connected to some research that I'm doing for a teaching program that I'm currently enrolled in. Thanks for any info. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: level tests |
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| Soul Forest wrote: |
I am looking for some samples of level tests that schools might use. It could be for various levels, ranging from elementary to adult. Do any of the big (or small) schools have copies of their level placement tests online for viewing?
It's connected to some research that I'm doing for a teaching program that I'm currently enrolled in. Thanks for any info. |
Level testing in a hakwon means sit down with the kid, drag out the text books and see which book he is comfortable reading and where his mother thinks he is (usually 2 books higher than his comprehension level).
Then when his mother leaves, place him in the same class as his friend because that's where mom wants him to be.
After 2-3 months or so, change him into the class where he can actually function and call it a level-up to keep his mom happy. |
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Soul Forest
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul Forest
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: level tests |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
Level testing in a hakwon means sit down with the kid, drag out the text books and see which book he is comfortable reading and where his mother thinks he is (usually 2 books higher than his comprehension level).
Then when his mother leaves, place him in the same class as his friend because that's where mom wants him to be.
After 2-3 months or so, change him into the class where he can actually function and call it a level-up to keep his mom happy. |
That can definitely be the case. I guess that's why I'm a bit more interested in adults at big hagwons, where the level placement system is likely to be more precise. |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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I used to have to do this at a language school I helped start, years ago. Usually just before class or on break, had to be done quickly.
So I developed my own to bypass the length and marking involved with a lot of the formal placement tests (Cambridge I have in mind).
I would take a picture with lots of detail, simple and complex vocab. Ask a series of easy to difficult questions. When a question was answered incorrectly, that was the level, out of the 10 questions. I then elicited vocabulary and from that adjusted the level accordingly. Simple but worked and gave the students a sense something "rational" and accountable was being used.
Here is an example I've used.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/59607a9e-41c5-4434-be03-a23e4190bacc/placement-speaking-test
DD |
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Whistleblower
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: level tests |
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| Soul Forest wrote: |
| That can definitely be the case. I guess that's why I'm a bit more interested in adults at big hagwons, where the level placement system is likely to be more precise. |
Well to be honest, adults are just as bad. If you have to teach professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, teachers etc, then they are saying I've have to study at a higher level due to my work or some other excuse. They can be a real pain and then when you place them at a higher level they are critical about why they haven't improved their English and demand a refund.
The point is level testing is one of those fancy things that people do to please the clients and give them some lip service. I used to work for a Hagwon that was a franchise of 'Butter English' and they promised that after a year of study that children would speak like an American  but I am from England!!! No wonder the management had a crisis after a year and students began leaving.
Now I work at a hagwon and they promise improvement in English to all students. If they complain they get a refund and then blame teachers, staff etc for not improving their English. It is all about money. I have not seen in any hagwon a desire for students to improve their English or their pronunciation.
Don't worry about level testing as this can be up to managers who make the decision or over ride your own decision. |
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Jizzo T. Clown
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Location: at my wit's end
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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One thing that continues to astound me is the students who say "This is too easy." I personally have never complained of anything being too easy. 
I understand that if you've been studying something for years and years and you get placed in the wrong class, you might have a valid complaint.
But in my experience, during the placement tests and interviews, a student is generally placed where they need to be. If they know the grammar or what they "should" say ("I'm-fine-thank-you-and-you?"), that is no real indicator of communicative competence.
Good teachers make the material seem easier than it actually is.
Reminds me of the Chinese uni students I had back home who would refuse to do homework because it was "too easy." Then they wondered why they received such low grades. If you know this stuff already, complaining about it not being challenging enough won't demonstrate to me that you know it. Stop bltching and do the work, flawlessly. Then you can move up. |
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