[etni] the oral exam -
- From: "Aviva Shapiro" <alshapirose@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 17:41:19 +0200
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Hi all.
I have been reading with interest all the discussion about projects and
whether to bring them in to the oral or not. Obviously there are two sides
to the story. On the one hand I agree with Adele in that the kids love
having someone see their project. (this is from our experience both last
spring and this winter) . It also helps them talk as they can refer to it on
and off. On the other hand there is the subjective problem of a tester
judging a poorly done project even though s/he shouldn't . Let's face it ,
we all (unfortunately) judge a book by it's cover..
The oral exam has always been and probably always will be a very subjective
exam. Even with all the rubrics and grading pages we are given each teacher
judges differently. For instance I had a yud bet student who spoke almost
fluently.. and on the oral exam he only got an 80.. Again I'm sure this was
because of his unusual dress and his agressive way of expressing himself.
Luckily the 'magen' I gave him helped him . (again unfortunately he was
judged by his looks)
This leads me to say that although many teachers are now starting to
struggle with how to give a 'magen' for the oral test, it actually may be
fairer this way. If a pupil for some reason has a bad day and speaks badly
at his oral this magen will help him. And if on the other hand , you the
teacher really do judge too hard, someone else will help him out here. And
the really nice part of the 'magen' is that it gives us the teachers time to
sit and talk ,one on one, with our pupils.. YES it is time consuming but in
my very humble opinion, a highlight of my teaching day!! Getting to know our
pupils is worthwhile for both sides. Let's not lose this opportunity. ( a
tip for those who feel they have no time, is to start early in the year and
take a pupil or two aside while the others are working)
So even though there are numerous problems with the oral exam let's never
give it up. It's such an integral part of what English is. Expressing
ourselves...verbally!!
And in time I think all of us will understand what is required of us ,both
in preparing our students (to present their project first) and in testing
the students we meet.
So good luck to all of us going off to test and to our students who are
being tested in the upcoming months..
Aviva
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