Testing

Getting Started: Testing

The E.S.L. teacher or tutor can test syntax and vocabulary by eliciting talk about a picture, experience or any stimuli of interest to the child. Recordings and transcriptions of oral production can then be analyzed for application of language that has been taught. See information on the language experience approach for more information.

The ability to express ideas in writing follows the ability to talk, in most cases. Students who know enough English to understand subject matter concepts may still not be able to succeed on a regular test. In this case, try an oral test of the most important concepts, perhaps using pictures or drawings and asking the student to explain what is happening and why. Transcribe or record speech and assess understanding. Until the child can succeed on a regular test, you may wish to use a modified grading system. It is not necessary to test all concepts that classmates are expected to know.

Although it may seem unfair to give non-English speaking students standardized tests, it is required even when the student cannot possibly succeed. This is because improvement on these tests must be documented for legal reasons over a period of years. Since the tests in this case measure English facility and not what they are intended to measure, you might talk to the principal about the possibility of excluding the scores from class and school averages.