Language Assessments in Schools (BIP3093)

(Written Report on Two Samples of Test Instruments)

Assignment 1
Written Report on two Samples Test Instruments (Pair work) (40%)

The Task
a. In pairs, collect two samples of formative English test instruments from a secondary school.
b. In about 2000 words, write a report of your analysis and comments on the strengths &
weaknesses of the tests and suggest improvements to make it more effective. Support your
views in relation to the basic principles and practices of language assessment.
Append the assessment instrument used.

Plagiarised work will not be assessed.

Use the Times New Roman typeface, font 12 and 1½ spacing for the paper. No special cover page
is needed. Write your name, matriculation number, course code and title, semester and task title on the
upper right corner of the first page. Submit all written report on the MyGuru platform
Marking Scheme (40 marks)

PART I. REPORT ON A SAMPLE TEST INSTRUMENT (40%)

ASSESSMENT EXCELLENT GOOD SATISFACTORY FAIR POOR

CRITERIA 32-40 23-31 15-22 7-14 0-6

Excellent description of Good description of Satisfactory Fair description of Inadequate description

observed test types employed
by the teacher to assess any
language skill(s) or language
content., supported by a
Content comprehensive range of
materials and examples.
Evaluation of Convincing, critical and detailed
Assessment evaluation based on the basic
principles of language
assessment.
Clarity and organization Excellent and well organized.
Very clearly developed ideas.
observed test types description of observed patterns of observed test types
employed by the observed test types tests types employed employed by the
teacher to assess any employed by the by the teacher to teacher to assess any
language skill(s) or teacher to assess assess any language language skill(s) or
language content, any language skill(s) or language language content, with
supported by a skill(s) or language content, but may lack insufficient supporting
substantial range of content, supported some supporting materials.
materials and by a satisfactory material and some
examples. range of materials examples.
and examples.
Thorough and detailed Adequate Fair evaluation based Significant inadequacies
evaluation based on evaluation based on some basic in evaluation with limited
the basic principles of on the basic principles of language features of the basic
language assessment. principles of assessment. principles of language
language assessment.
assessment.
Good organisation Quite well- Structure and ideas Poorly structured and
with clearly developed developed are fairly developed inadequate description.
ideas. organisation and and require Ideas lack clarity and
ideas. substantial editing to coherence.
improve effectiveness
of the description.

Use of literature to Very relevant citations made. Relevant citations Some relevant Hardly any citations No works cited at all.
support argument made. citations made with made.
References are in compliance some irrelevant
with the APA format. ones. All references are not in
Most references are in Some references Most references are compliance with the
compliance with the are in compliance not in compliance with APA format.
APA format. with the APA the APA format.
format.
TOTAL MARKS: 100%

A GOOD ASSIGNMENT SHOULD SHOW

1. A good understanding of the task
2. Originality in presentation
3. Appropriate language use

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR COURSEWORK

1. This coursework requires you to work in pairs and groups. You are advised to discuss your work
regularly with your course lecturer to ensure targets are met.
2. No duplication of assignments from other coursework is allowed.
3. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. All borrowed ideas must be acknowledged and properly
cited.
4. Cite the source of the text and any references you used using the APA format. Referencing is part of the
assessment.
5. Your work should be type written with double spacing and font Arial size 11.
6. Please submit your work in Microsoft Office Word version.
7. The cover page should have the following information:
a. Name
b. Matric number
c. Class/Group
d. Title of essay
e. Lecturer’s name
8. You should adhere to the deadline. Without an approved extension of time, late submission will be dealt
with severely.