Dear Sally
You are quite right to query the validity of this assessment instrument
for your purposes - it is patently ridiculous to have an
instrument devised for assessing native speaker reading to be used for
assessing initial learners of English. This confounding of literacy
and language learning of recent years is worrying.
What is appropriate depends on the characteristics of the learners -
informal teacher assessment (provided the teacher has experience) may
prove the best tool, but in these regimented days I susepct that would
not be allowed.
Best wishes,
Eddie
On 01/10/2010 11:30, Sally Spencer wrote:
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type="cite">
I
have just started teaching some esol classes for an organisation
getting Learning and Skills Council funding for beginner esol classes,
but the initial assessment being used is the National literacy
assessment, which is not very appropriate (it only covers reading, not
speaking, listening or writing, is too high a level for many students
to even attempt, and is aimed at native speakers). I have been told we
have to use this because it is approved by the lsc. Can someone
recommend a more appropriate initial assessment tool for a voluntary
organisation which is approved by the lsc?
thank you,
Sally
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