Testing in the ESL Classroom

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the negative and positive impact of testing upon teaching and upon learning in the ESL classroom. Specifically, the paper explores how heavy-handed evaluation methods that emphasize student failure can assure even larger failure while a strong testing methodology can, on the other hand, build trust between student and teacher. Not to be overlooked, the paper also examines the manner in which testing can either lead teachers to test the wrong things or, conversely, can lead them to a higher level of professional development. The paper concludes taht, in the end, testing in and of itself is not the problem - the problem is teachers who use it clumsily.

From the Paper:

"There can scarcely be any doubt that one of the most significant roles any teacher will perform is the difficult role of evaluator. Finding the tools and methodologies needed to appropriately assess where a classroom of students is headed is one thing, but another consideration is finding out a testing style and approach that will not cow students or dampen their enthusiasm for the course material. In an interesting study, Kaplan Bass (1993) found that it is the anticipation of having their work evaluated by a teacher that sparks anxiety among developmental or ESL students - and anxiety is one of the chief reasons why some students fall short of reaching their full potential as writers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cunningham-Florez, MaryAnn. (2001). Reflective teaching practice in adult ESL settings. Washington, DC: National Center for ESL Literacy Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 451733).
• Hebe, Wong Mei Ha, and Storey, Peter. (2006). Knowing and doing in the ESL writing class. Language Awareness, 15(4): 283-300.
• MacGowan-Gilhooly, A. (1991). Fluency before correctness: A whole-language experiment in college ESL. College ESL, 1, 37-47.
• Kaplan Bass, B. (1993). The mathematics of writing: Shaping attitude in composition classes. Teaching English in the Two-Year College, 20(2): 109-114.
• Kasper, Loretta F., and Petrello, Barbara A. (1996). Responding to ESL student writing: the value of a non-judgmental approach. Community Review, 14, 5-12.

More papers on Testing in the ESL Classroom:

• Analytical Essay # 134111 : "Life as an ESL Teacher"
• Research Paper # 100185 : "NLD and ESL Students"
• Essay # 16465 : "English as a Second Language"

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