The Oxford placement test is good for those students with some understanding of English and who had previous Secondary Education. It requires some concepts in vocabulary and grammar. What is really needed is a placement test that would be a continuum across the levels that would enable prospective applicants to skip according to their abilities. We are particularly struggling with Entry 1 when literacy is the problem. Hope the Scottish project will help. Currently we use the SFL for E2 and above, online. We also use the BKSB IA &DA Online( developed by Nottingham College) which is OK for E3 to L2 in ESOL. It is widely used for Basic Skills learners at the Sheffield College.
>>> James Simpson <[log in to unmask]> 07/02/2008 18:05 >>>
Hello
I can't help Angela directly very much, but I do know that the Scottish
government has recently commissioned a research project asking this very
question. The projected outcome from this project will be a handbook for
ESOL teachers (specifically in Scotland, but probably relevant to others
elsewhere) giving guidance on available diagnostic assessments,
placement tests and the like. The timescale for the project is tight
(now to end of March), so I expect something will be published later
this year. I'll forward more info if/when I hear anything.
For what it's worth, here are a couple of bits of info:
OUP's Oxford Placement Tests are widely used:
http://www.oup.com/elt/catalogue/isbn/7160?cc=gb
If you follow the link to 'exams' on that page, you can find info about
the OUP's Quick Placement Test, a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)
This paper will help you evaluate a test if you find one:
Wall, D., C. Clapham and J. C. Alderson (1994) 'Evaluating a placement
test.' Language Testing 11/3, 321-344.
A short article in IATEFL's testing evaluation and assessment SIG
magazine, available for free download, is a rough and ready guide to
evaluating placement tests - sound and solid advice:
http://www.teasig.com/Proper%20Place.DOC
This article is by Dave Allan, who wrote the Oxford Placement Tests.
James
-----Original Message-----
From: ESOL-Research discussion forum and message board
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angela Keenan
Sent: 06 February 2008 14:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: assessment tools
Can anyone give suggestions on ESOL initial assessments and ESOL
diagnostic assessments available to either buy or accessible online -
this is apart from the original DFES materials.
Any ideas. Angela
Angela Keenan
ESOL Curriculum Development Manager
Learning Youth & Skills
Room 123
NYCC
County Hall
Northallerton
DL7 8AE
01609 533102
07976776059
***********************************
ESOL-Research is a forum for researchers and practitioners with an interest in research into teaching and learning ESOL. ESOL-Research is managed by James Simpson at the Centre for Language Education Research, School of Education, University of Leeds.
To join or leave ESOL-Research, visit
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ESOL-RESEARCH.html
A quick guide to using Jiscmail lists can be found at:
http://jiscmail.ac.uk/help/using/quickuser.htm
To contact the list owner, send an email to
[log in to unmask]
|