Teacher Discussion Forums

Where can I obtain / download "ability test" forms to hand to potential adult students in order to ascertain what existing knowledge they have of English.

'would ideally like to test their knowledge of English comprehension of the spoken and written word . . . .

This will help me to place them in e.g. an A or B class and help toward class compatability.

Thanks guys,

Theo7

Are you willing to pay for the tests? I know of a couple, but they are expensive and require formal training before you can purchase them.

No, am not willing to pay for expensive tests and nor too need to undergo training for.

I need a few very basic questionnaires to establish candidate's level of understanding English - very simple.

Thanks for the input . . . any further suggestions ??

Like you, I believe that a simple survey of adult students would lead to far more accurate placements - especially if the placement exams only test passive skills and grammar. Of course, many adult education programs do not even use placement tests during peak registration periods in Los Angeles.

I've seen how effective just a handful of simple questions can be working at the American Language Center at UCLA Extension the past few summers. Adding a short writing component would make it even stronger.

Why not just ask students to describe their English ability? Where do you speak English now? How long have you studied English? How do you feel when you speak English? Do you prefer to read or write English? Do you people usually understand you when you speak in English? How would you like to use English?

While I would prefer a writing sample, you could easily create a simple multiple choice survey of 3-5 questions to collect the information.

Just a thought. Good luck!

Hello Eric18 and thanks for that input.

I've created a list of simple multiple choice questions and am certain that this will suffice ref comprehension.

Your comments are along the lines of what I would ask in order that applicant may provide a brief written reply.

Thanks for your suggested questions = helpful and indeed some good thoughts.

Theo7.

My pleasure.

By the way, I suspect several other ESL Cafe folks will be glad to read your survey when you finalize the language.

Good luck!

Hello again Eric18,

To create the survey, I've mostly taken from examples given somewhere (?) in Adult Teaching in the Cafe which one can find if working patiently through the many pages . . . .

Thanks again and regards.