TSL204 - Principles of Evaluation
| Semester | |
| School | |
| Last revision date | 2024-01-29 01:00:09.677 |
| Last review date | 2024-02-05 00:15:05.548 |
Subject Title
Principles of Evaluation
Subject Description
Acquiring skills in the evaluation of students' work is critical to becoming a successful teacher. This subject teaches students the principles and tools of ESL assessment and gives students practical guidance on using and developing tasks in different language settings such as EAP and settlement-oriented ESL (PBLA).
Credit Status
This is a required credit in the TESL Certificate Program and TEFL Recognition of Achievement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:
1. Explain the principles of language assessment.
2. Describe the functions of ESL assessment.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the steps involved in classroom language test design.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of different types of assessment.
5. Choose assessment instruments appropriate for different curricula and ESL programs.
6. Evaluate and choose teaching resources appropriate for different curricula and ESL programs.
7. Compare and contrast a variety of standardized tests of English.
8. Choose and develop different assessment techniques pertinent to the level of the students and the relevant skill (e.g. listening, speaking, reading, writing etc.).
Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).
Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.
Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.
Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.
Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.
By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.
Prerequisite(s)
TSL200 and TSL201
Corequisite: TSL203
Topic Outline
1. Introduction
- Testing, assessment and teaching
- Approaches to language testing
- Current issues in classroom testing
- Practicality, reliability, validity, authenticity and washback
- Applying principles to evaluation of classroom tests
- Test types
- Practical steps to test construction
- Developing a standardized test
- TOEFL, IELTS etc.
- Books, audio/videocassettes, CDs etc.
- Types and skills of listening
- Intensive listening
- Responsive listening
- Selective listening
- Extensive listening
- Types and skills of speaking
- Imitative speaking
- Intensive speaking
- Responsive speaking
- Test of Spoken English (TSE)
- Interactive speaking
- Extensive speaking
- Genres/types of reading
- Skills and strategies for reading
- Perceptive reading
- Selective reading
- Interactive reading
- Extensive reading
- Genres/types of writing
- Skills of writing
- Imitative writing
- Intensive (controlled) writing
- Responsive and extensive writing
- Scoring methods for writing
10. Assessing in other types of clsses/contexts/purposes
- Assessments in grammar, pronunciation classes etc.
- Canadian Language Benchmarks
- Portfolios
Mode of Instruction
The teacher may use some of the following teaching modes:
- lectures
- questions and answer techniques
- classroom discussion
- pair/group work
- individual consultation
- student presentations
Prescribed Texts
Brown, H. Douglas and Abeywickrama, Priyanvada. Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices . White Plains, N.Y. : Longman, 3rd Edition ISBN 9780134860220
Reference Material
None.
Required Supplies
None.
Student Progression and Promotion Policy
http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html
Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html
| A+ | 90% to 100% |
| A | 80% to 89% |
| B+ | 75% to 79% |
| B | 70% to 74% |
| C+ | 65% to 69% |
| C | 60% to 64% |
| D+ | 55% to 59% |
| D | 50% to 54% |
| F | 0% to 49% (Not a Pass) |
| OR | |
| EXC | Excellent |
| SAT | Satisfactory |
| UNSAT | Unsatisfactory |
For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).
Modes of Evaluation
Grading is based on the following marking scheme:
Assignments 80%
Term test(s) 20%
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the dates specified. Begin your assignments early in anticipation of unforeseen problems that may arise in your work or personal life. Should extenuating circumstances arise, please contact your instructor immediately, prior to when your assignment is due, so an appropriate course of action can be established. Late assignments may be subject to a penalty of up to 10% per week and will not generally be accepted beyond two weeks after the assignment due date.
Students must attain a grade of at least 60% to pass the course.
PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUBJECT OUTLINE DOCUMENT FOR FUTURE EDUCATIONAL AND/OR EMPLOYMENT USE