Summer reflections part one - speaking
The first semester is far enough gone to look back on with an objective eye, and the second semester is fast approaching. Time to look back on what worked and what didn’t, and to figure out where to go next.
The first thing I want to fix is the assessments for my oral communications classes. For the non-English majors, I want to do the following things.
1. Use the language and skills we have focused on in class.
Sounds obvious, but it never hurts to remember the obvious. I chose textbooks which hone in on conversation strategies, classes are centred around pair work, discussion and debate, even the lower level classes. So the assessments should reflect that.
2. Incorporate Reflection
I want the learners to think about their successes and failures, and use that knowledge to improve subsequent converastions.
3. Incorporate elements of the students’ majors
I would like them to use what they are learning in their other classes, to see a link between English and the “real world”. I am not sure if this needs to come out in assessment or if it should just be a part of my curriculum, but it occured to me now so I`m putting it down. It’s my blog so there.
I have the following obstacles.
1. Large classes
Not ridiculously so, but large enough to make one to one interview tests, or even two interviewees/one assessor style tests (a la Cambridge ESOL), logistically challenging.
2. Technology shortfall
We have a lot of cassette recorders for recorded conversations and transcription. We have “computer rooms”. We don’t, as yet, have digital voice recorders for every student. But I am not personally opposed to technology, so if anyone has a good suggestion I`m prepared to see if I can work with what we have.
3. Novelty
I have actually been using (what I think) is a very effective method, courtesy of Duane Kindt (I’ve already blogged on this, and his templete is here). Trouble is, so are most of the other teachers here… and nothing kills reflection dead like familiarity.
So, what are my alternatives?
