Assessment in Languages Teaching

Meta 4.1 Meta 4.2 Meta 4.3 Meta 4.4  Meta 4.5 Reflection Unit 4 We have understood the importance of knowing that there are different types of tests so we could apply them to our students depending in the topics previously taught. There are purposes for each tests, if we want to classify students depending in how much they know; we must use a placement test. If our purpose is to diagnostic our students’ abilities in language before starting a course, well, we have to design a diagnostic test. So on and so forth. In this unit, we have learn the difference between test and testing, to design a test for each skill we want to measure (this is important because the fourth skills must be developed in the target language), to adapt items for the language tests, and to analyze a test (that consist in a series of questions to confirm the type of test, testing, and if it accomplish the communicative approach). 

What was a bit confusing to do was the part of thinking an activity to develop each skill, because some of the activities could be used for more than one skill, but they needed to be focused in the target skill. Another difficult thing was planning the activities so the students could learn, but they can also enjoy the lesson at the same time. Finally, the most difficult part of this unit was the activity of making rubrics for assessment. Knowing which things are necessaries for rubrics is easier to experienced teachers, but later on it will be easy for us too. What we think would be very useful for apply it in our teaching is knowing advantages and disadvantages of each activity we use, so that we can know if the activity is suitable for include it in the lesson plan. Also, we think the rubrics are necessary for a complete assessment as we could notice if the planned activities are giving results and if the students are having problems and where.  ...