ABILITY TESTING TO DETERMINE STUDENT LEVEL ?

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Theo7
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:09 pm

ABILITY TESTING TO DETERMINE STUDENT LEVEL ?

Post by Theo7 » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:49 pm

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

lisie
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:34 pm
Location: Minnesota

Post by lisie » Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:23 pm

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.

Theo7
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:09 pm

Post by Theo7 » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:21 am

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 ??

Eric18
Posts: 151
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:38 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California
Contact:

Why not create your own forms?

Post by Eric18 » Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:15 am

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!

Theo7
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:09 pm

Post by Theo7 » Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:29 pm

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.

Eric18
Posts: 151
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 12:38 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California
Contact:

Creating a student survey

Post by Eric18 » Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:38 am

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!

Theo7
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:09 pm

Post by Theo7 » Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:40 am

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.

:D

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