TUTORIAL : 2 TSL 3112 : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

SRN_JUN_2013

TASK 1 : In pairs or groups ,discuss the types of assessments of learning used in schools?
Achievement tests
Aptitude tests
Diagnostic tests
Placement tests
Proficiency tests
Fundamental to any discussion of testing is the purpose of the test. If you dont knowwhy you are
testing, then you probably shouldnt be testing in the first place. The appropriateness of a test in any
given context will depend to a large extent on the reason the test is being given and the uses to which
the test results may be put.
Traditionally, we recognize five types of test [although the precise labels may vary from one tester to
another].
Progress Tests measure how well learners have mastered the material [or skills] taught in class
and [or] how well they have improved in a given area. Consequently, the focus is on short-term
objectives [such as Unit Two: the Past Tense or Unit Four: Expressions of Future Time]. These
tests are usually written by the teacher to answer questions such as
Have the students learnt the target language well?
Have I taught it effectively?
Can we go on to the next part of the course?
Progress tests are often given to motivate learners and to reinforce learning.
Achievement Tests refer to more formal tests that have been designed to show mastery of a
particular syllabus or corpus of language. They include end-of-term and end-of-year tests, end-of-
course tests, school leaving examinations for certification, and other tests administered by
external bodies [such as UCLES KET or PET]. They are similar to progress tests in that they are
generally based on a syllabus and measure what has been taught and learnt. However, they are
usually standardized and are likely to be similar from one year to the next [and the same in
format]. They are rarely constructed by the classroom teacher for a particular group of learners,
and they are usually assessed on a pass or fail, or on a grade basis.
Proficiency Tests are different in that they are not usually based on a particular syllabus but are
used to measure achievement in relation to a specific [future] task that the candidate may be
required to perform at a subsequent point of time. For example, the test may set out to determine
whether the candidate has sufficient English to follow a course of Chemical Engineering for which
the medium of instruction is English, or to do a job that requires the use of English. These tests
rarely take into account any syllabus that a student may have followed: they are concerned with
future [potential] performance rather than past achievement. They are frequently administered to
learners with varied language learning backgrounds. The common factor is the purpose to which
the language is to be put.
Placement Tests are a special type of proficiency test. They give an indication of the language
levels of learners so that they can be placed in an appropriate class for English.
Aptitude Tests predict how successful a leaner will be in [for example] learning a foreign
language. The rationale is that some people are better than others at learning languages, and
aptitude tests aim to predict the learners possible performance in learning a language [or that
particular language]. The most common aptitude tests set tasks that are related to the linguistic
skills possessed by a good language learner [such as the ability to perceive sound and spelling
correspondences and the ability to identify patterns in language].
Diagnostic Tests enable teachers to identify any areas of weakness or difficulty, so that they can
then plan and implement an appropriate remedial teaching program. They may be used to assess
the knowledge and skills of learners in particular aspects of language before the start of a course
[and consequently may be used for placement as well as course design purposes].


TUTORIAL : 2 TSL 3112 : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

SRN_JUN_2013

TASK 2 : In pairs or groups,discuss and outline on ;
1. What is School-Based Assessment (PBS) in the Malaysian context?
2. What are the roles of teachers in the SBA?
3. What are the main similarities and differences between assessment in the
SBA and the current assessment methods?


1. What is PBS?
Answer :

PBS is a holistic form of assessment which assesses the cognitive, affective and
psychomotor domains encompassing intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical
aspects. Thus PBS is in tandem with the Primary School Standard Curriculum as
well as the National Education Philosophy.

PBS covers both academic and non-academic fields.

PBS is carried out continuously in schools by teachers during the teaching and
learning
process.

There are 4 components in the PBS:
(i) Central Assessment
(ii) School Assessment
(iii) Assessment of Sports and Co-curricular activities
(iv) Psychometric Assessment

.
1.1 Is the PBS concept new?
Answer :

No, the PBS concept is not new. Homework, quizzes, question and answer
sessions are all examples of PBS activities. However, there are two new features
in the improved PBS. Firstly the concept of Standard Referenced Assessment in
which learners achievements are measured against a Performance Standard
which determines what learners are expected to achieve. Secondly is the
introduction of SPPBS or PBS Management System which will make it easier for
teachers to record and store data concerning learners achievement.


1.2 Why is PBS being introduced now?

Answer :

PBS is being introduced as part of the National Transformation Program to
produce world class human capital.


1.3 When will PBS be implemented?
Answer :

PBS began in Year One 2011 and will result in the refurbished UPSR in 2016.
TUTORIAL : 2 TSL 3112 : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

SRN_JUN_2013

PBS will be carried out in Form One from 2012 and PMR beginning 2014 will be
entirely school-based.


2.
How reliable are assessment results conducted by teachers? (ROLE
OF TEACHER)

Assessment scores produced by teachers are reliable because they:

- Can continuously monitor their pupils growth
- Can provide constructive feedback to help improve pupils learning
abilities
- Better understand the context and environment most conducive to
assess pupils
- Appraise and provide feedback based on the Performance Standards


3. What is the difference between PBS and the present assessment?


Answer :

PBS is more holistic and emphasizes all aspects including physical, emotional,
spiritual and intellectual. The present assessment focuses on learners
achievement through examination results. PBS assesses both the learning
outcome as well as the learning process. Therefore both formative and summative
assessment which encompass assessment for learning and assessment of
learning are employed. Presently the focus is mainly on assessment of learning at
the end of the learning process which is largely summative in nature.

In an effort to make the present assessment better, Standard Referenced
Assessment is introduced to track the growth and development of each pupil
through his/her performance. In the process it is possible to find out what each
pupil know (tahu), understand (faham) and can apply (boleh buat) or have
mastered what has been learnt based on the Performance Standards which is
mapped from the Standard Curriculum.

Furthermore, Standard Referenced Assessment does not compare a pupils
achievement with his/her peers instead it reports each pupils growth and
development by comparing his/her performance against a statement of standards.

PBS gives autonomy and due recognition to teachers to carry out formative and
summative school-based assessment at their discretion. In this manner teachers
integrity and credibility will be enhanced. Teachers are most suitable to assess
their pupils because they :

- Can continuously monitor their pupils growth
- Can provide constructive feedback to help improve pupils learning abilities
- Better understand the context and environment most conducive to assess pupils
- Appraise and provide feedback based on the Performance Standards







TUTORIAL : 2 TSL 3112 : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

SRN_JUN_2013

6. What is Performance Standard?
Answer :

Performance Standard is a set of statements detailing the achievement and mastery of an
individual within a certain discipline, in a specific period of study based on an identified
benchmark. The Performance Standard will help inform the appraiser on the best and most
suitable way to assess individuals fairly in a focused manner based on the predetermined
set of standards.

7. What is the quality assurance of PBS?
Quality assurance of the PBS is determined through:

- Mentoring
- Standardization
- Monitoring
- Detection

Mentoring is the process of assisting, facilitating and guiding teachers to carry out PBS
according to the correct procedures and principles of PBS.

Monitoring ensures that the correct procedures have been adhered to ensure the reliability
and credibility of the assessment outcome.

Standardization ensures uniformity of scores with reference to the Performance Standards
based on the rubrics of an assignment.

Detection is the process that evaluates the strength, weaknesses and effectiveness of
assessment tool us ed to carry out PBS.

8. How will parents obtain feedback on their childs performance?
Answer :

A descriptive and formative report can be generated using the SPPBS whenever needed.
The system also acts as a life-time data base and stores all information pertaining to pupils
progress from Year 1 to Form 5.

9. What value is the assessment result to pupils?

Answer :

Feedback based on the Performance Standards can help students identify his/her strength
and weaknesses, common errors made and areas that need more attention as well as
steps to take in order to improve.

Constructive and meaningful feedback can help pupils focus on their learning progress.
Hence pupils will be more motivated to work harder and perform better in the future.

10. What is the impact of PBS on UPSR and PMR?
Answer :

UPSR and PMR are still important modes of assessment, however they will no longer be
deemed as high stake events since PBS is a continuous process and also more holistic.

11.

Are teachers ready for PBS?
Answer :

All teachers are qualified and trained in teacher education. In addition they are given
refresher courses to help them manage the PBS.
TUTORIAL : 2 TSL 3112 : LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

SRN_JUN_2013