Teacher Discussion Forums

As I'd written elsewhere, I've come up an effective revision method involving translation. As it seems I'll continue teaching with the series, I'd be interested in sharing and collaborating on the development of such supplementary resources. PM me or respond to this thread.

By the way, I left the Placement & Evaluation Package back in Canada. It's been years since I've taught with the series. As for the paper tests, as I recall, they're not very communicative in scope: blank-filling, multiple choice q's. If anyone has the Placement tests, I'd like to know if they're of much value. I'm seriously considering making my own assessment tools as I think this is the major weakness among almost evey private language school I've worked for--shamefully inadequate assessment tools.

Wow! 50+ views but no replies? What--does nobody use the series or, conversely feel it doesn't need supplementing?

Anyway, here's a link to the Placement Evaluation Guide which has the interview questions--it makes a good placement test even if you don't use the series:

http://books.google.ca/books?id=yhdCdKA ... ages&cad=3

And, if you do, well, I figured I'd start things off. Here's a review tool I've come up with that my students see as valuable in helping them consolidate their understanding. Students translate L1 phrases, sentences, questions, or dialogues into L2 with their partner's help if needed. Weaker pairs or those having missed classes can read the English, while their partner listens while reading L1.

Dialogue Translation #3 (Student A)
Interchange Intro Review of Units 1-5
A: 你好！ Mr. Black在这儿吗？
B: Yes, I’m Mr. Black. Are you Mr. Lin from Shanghai?
A: 不，我是北京来的 Mr. Wang 。
B: Good evening, Mr. Wang. Is it evening there?
A: 不，是早上。
B: Oh, excuse me. Good morning.
A: ...

Dialogue Translation #3 (Student B)
Interchange Intro Review of Units 1-5
A: Hello! Is Mr. Black there?
B: 是的，我是 Mr. Black. 你是来自上海的 Mr. Lin吗？
A: No, I’m Mr. Wang from Beijing.
B: 晚上好，Mr. Wang. 那边是晚上吗？
A: ...

I've only just begun developing these for the Intro but PM me with your email address and I'll send you what I've completed. I'd be delighted to collaborate with anyone on this.