Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi All


My first post yay!

Let me say this much, that personally I dont believe that 10-15minutes is adequate time to somewhat test for a student's interests and level.


And I have never tried doing it in 15minutes.


Usually I take the first lesson ~1-2hrs to test the student's listening, writing, speaking and reading abilities and once I know roughly where they are at, we can go on from there.


However ive been told to prepare a short lesson in which within 10-15minutes I can find out the student's interests and level.


Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks kindly.

PS This is related to Students in Japan. And range from about 15yrs old onwards to maybe about 70 or so.

I give them a 4 part test that includes reading, conversation (and thus listening and speaking) and a writing component. Generally, I look for fluency, chunking, and how they tackle unknown words. For some reason, "Shiite" is a great word to use. High level speakers always sound it out correctly, while low and mid level speakers never do.

Takes about 20 minutes, 5-10 minutes with me sitting there and them doing the reading/conversation, 10-15 minutes for them to do the writing.

Superhal wrote:I give them a 4 part test that includes reading, conversation (and thus listening and speaking) and a writing component. Generally, I look for fluency, chunking, and how they tackle unknown words. For some reason, "Shiite" is a great word to use. High level speakers always sound it out correctly, while low and mid level speakers never do.

Takes about 20 minutes, 5-10 minutes with me sitting there and them doing the reading/conversation, 10-15 minutes for them to do the writing.

K heres what im thinking.

Reading:
3 main paragraphs or sections of reading relating to peoples interests and hobbies.

1st section/parapgraph. Relatively easy, with easy words, concepts and grammar.

2nd medium wayed.

3rd difficult with loads of words etc. Almost thinking sort of sophisticated pompous.



Conversation:

We can simply discuss each others interests and hobbies with again starting at an easy level and getting faster and more complicated..

eg So jack you like Soccer? Tell me why. etc


BUT SHOULD I HAVE A PROPER MARKING SHEET ?



Writing:

I could make them write about their hobbies and interests.

again looking generally for how well they put sentences and ideas together etc.






WHAT do you think?


Im trying to make this more concrete.

Your help is much appreciated.