So nervous

choi Eun sil on Thu Apr 17 2008, 14:12

Thaks for the guideline.
I am very anxious about today's test.
Good luck to everybody^^

Mijin Son on Thu Apr 17 2008, 15:11

billy wrote:First i would like to give my heartfelt thanks for your sincere and well-thought-out guideline for the upcoming mid-term exam. Like other students said in their quotes, this guideline is not only sure to help the students a lot, but it will also act as a 'guideline' when they are giving or will give their mid-term exams to middle or high school students.
As far as i remember, when i went to middle and high school, most of the 'then' teachers were only letting us know a broad range of the test subjects and we had to prepare for everything from A to Z. In particular, under the current college entrance exam system, almost all of the English subjects in high schools in Korea are allotted only for practising the college-entrance-exam-type questions all the year around right before the 'real' test, so the mid- or final-term exam usually involves multiple choice tests, which is quite similiar to what the students are tested in KSAT(Korean Scholastic Aptitude Test).
However, I learned in the undergraduate school that there are three basic rationales for giving tests: validity, realiability, and practicality. Among them, i think, validity is of course the most important criterion to be tested. Students need to be evaluated based on what they've actually learned and done during the class. At this backdrop, though your mid-term exam seems a little burden to me, nobody will ever be able to question the way you are giving the mid-term exam and your kind explanation like this guideline will definitely help worrisome students like me.
Besides, i am thinking that i may try your way of testing in my class, giving a full explanation on everything about the test except for the answers. Thanks again!
Jason Renshaw wrote:Practical English

Mid-Term Examination Guidelines

Date: Thursday, April 17 (6.30pm start), 2008
Duration: 2 hours total
Percentage of overall grade in this course: 25%

Exam Overview:

Part A: Media English (45 minutes)

1. Listen to a new Reuters Video News article, then provide a quick summary of the content, a personal opinion and a prediction related to the content. [10 points total]

2. Choose a previously covered Reuters Video News article from a pre-set list, outline its content and provide a personal opinion and a prediction related to this content. [30 points total]

Part B: Reflecting on Practical English Applications (75 minutes)

3. Write about activities used to date in this class, explaining what the activities are aimed at, how they are applied, and why. [40 points total]

4. Write about the approach and activities used in the Widgets textbook to date, and how they can inspire a task-based approach to classroom learning. [20 points total]

Scoring:
Part A carries 40 points. Part B carries 60 points. Total points available on the exam will therefore be 100. This score will be converted to a score out of 25 which will represent the mid-term exam percentage applied to the eventual overall grade for this course.

Jason Renshaw – Course Convener
[url=http://englishadvance.niceboards.org/mailto:jason.renshaw@gmail.com

jason.renshaw@gmail.com[/quote][/quote[/url]]

I couldn't agree more.
Actually I had no idea when I heard that we are going to have a test for this course. I am sorry that I missed classes and it was really hard for me just to follow this course. But this guidelines show me the way how I should prepare the test. But the problem is tha two- hour test!!
I am not sure if i will be able to concentrate on the test during such a long time. But i will do my best.^^

Also I thought that I should have given some guidelines for the test to my students. Clear guidelines will eliminate some of the anxiety that my students might feel and let the students prepare the test well. So from now i will.
Thank you give me the chance to think abour guidelines for the test.

Jason Renshaw on Fri Apr 18 2008, 10:46

Mijin Son wrote:
billy wrote:First i would like to give my heartfelt thanks for your sincere and well-thought-out guideline for the upcoming mid-term exam. Like other students said in their quotes, this guideline is not only sure to help the students a lot, but it will also act as a 'guideline' when they are giving or will give their mid-term exams to middle or high school students.
As far as i remember, when i went to middle and high school, most of the 'then' teachers were only letting us know a broad range of the test subjects and we had to prepare for everything from A to Z. In particular, under the current college entrance exam system, almost all of the English subjects in high schools in Korea are allotted only for practising the college-entrance-exam-type questions all the year around right before the 'real' test, so the mid- or final-term exam usually involves multiple choice tests, which is quite similiar to what the students are tested in KSAT(Korean Scholastic Aptitude Test).
However, I learned in the undergraduate school that there are three basic rationales for giving tests: validity, realiability, and practicality. Among them, i think, validity is of course the most important criterion to be tested. Students need to be evaluated based on what they've actually learned and done during the class. At this backdrop, though your mid-term exam seems a little burden to me, nobody will ever be able to question the way you are giving the mid-term exam and your kind explanation like this guideline will definitely help worrisome students like me.
Besides, i am thinking that i may try your way of testing in my class, giving a full explanation on everything about the test except for the answers. Thanks again!
Jason Renshaw wrote:Practical English

Mid-Term Examination Guidelines

Date: Thursday, April 17 (6.30pm start), 2008
Duration: 2 hours total
Percentage of overall grade in this course: 25%

Exam Overview:

Part A: Media English (45 minutes)

1. Listen to a new Reuters Video News article, then provide a quick summary of the content, a personal opinion and a prediction related to the content. [10 points total]

2. Choose a previously covered Reuters Video News article from a pre-set list, outline its content and provide a personal opinion and a prediction related to this content. [30 points total]

Part B: Reflecting on Practical English Applications (75 minutes)

3. Write about activities used to date in this class, explaining what the activities are aimed at, how they are applied, and why. [40 points total]

4. Write about the approach and activities used in the Widgets textbook to date, and how they can inspire a task-based approach to classroom learning. [20 points total]

Scoring:
Part A carries 40 points. Part B carries 60 points. Total points available on the exam will therefore be 100. This score will be converted to a score out of 25 which will represent the mid-term exam percentage applied to the eventual overall grade for this course.

Jason Renshaw – Course Convener
jason.renshaw@gmail.com
[/quote]

I couldn't agree more.
Actually I had no idea when I heard that we are going to have a test for this course. I am sorry that I missed classes and it was really hard for me just to follow this course. But this guidelines show me the way how I should prepare the test. But the problem is tha two- hour test!!
I am not sure if i will be able to concentrate on the test during such a long time. But i will do my best.^^

Also I thought that I should have given some guidelines for the test to my students. Clear guidelines will eliminate some of the anxiety that my students might feel and let the students prepare the test well. So from now i will.
Thank you give me the chance to think abour guidelines for the test.

Hi Mijin,

Thanks for your attitude and efforts.

Yes, it is essential whenever you do testing to give your students a good understanding of what it is you expect from them. Aside from the fact that it reduces the "nasty stressful shock" element of a test, it is basically fair and considerate to your learners. A test should be applied to give learners an opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate what they have learned.

You do need to be quite careful, however. It is important not to just give the learners a list of things to memorize and regurgitate on paper. You want to give them the parameters and general areas to consider, and let them take it from there. If you are managing to get your learners thinking (and even debating) before the test is applied, you are greatly adding to the overall value of the whole exercise.

I'm happy to hear that, beyond your own preparation for this particular test, this has given you a chance to reflect on your own teaching approach (along with Billy and other teachers). That's fantastic.

Best wishes,

~ Jason

***

eunjin39 on Sat Apr 19 2008, 17:53

Thank you for your guideline for the exam.
It was helpful for me to prepare for it. haha.
By the way, I had sore arm & hand (of course the right one.) and shoulder after finishing the exam. Laughing

I couldn't give my body a break during the test. Laughing

Have a nice weekend ~~ cheers

Lee yujin on Mon Apr 21 2008, 16:34

Jason Renshaw wrote:
Lee yujin wrote: Thanks for guidelines but..

by Lee yujin Today at 11:54 amPlease don't be upset woth my opinion..^^
i just want to tell my feelings about exams.
I know you have a right to decide how we would be assessed and Your assessment methods are really nice and valide.
however personally I think 2 hours is too long to take an exam, which could make students exhausted and tired especially when they feel intense and uncomfortable^^
Of course I know most of the students can handle it without any problems.

My goodness gracious me, young lady - what do you think is going to happen when it comes time for you to take your teacher's exam?

Out of kindness, I limited the exam to 2 hours rather than 3 (the full class time alotment), so as not to completely exhaust them but still ensure there is comfortable time to finish the questions adequately.

Perhaps we could shorten the exam to 1 hour in duration, but maintain the same requirements (which I deem necessary to actually check that students have been learning in this course)... Personally I think that would result in some true stress and discomfort, and possibly some tears from some students as I take their paper away from them as they beg for more time.

You're a lovely student (and I'm very happy with your efforts in this class), but to speak very honestly, you need to toughen up. This is not a hagwon or a recreational center. I never thought I would see the day that an MA student from one of the most prestigious universities in the country would moan about a 2-hour exam...

I'm also curious - would you make this comment to one of your Korean professors?

Mmmmm

Best of luck to you in the exam ~ I'm sure you'll do well.

Take care,

~ Jason

***

I'm sorry.
I never took an 2-hour test when I was in university..^^
So I was just a little bit anxious about that.
Also writing test would make me feel worried, because I am not good at writing under the time limits.
I think I've gone through well...because as you said I'm MA student.
I think I willl be strong enough to deal with more difficult and consuming exam...I will absolutely be !!

I didn't mean to be rude or complain.^^
I just wanted to talk about my feelings.
I strongly believe that you understand me, don't I?

ps

bakbann on Mon Apr 28 2008, 09:46

Thanks for the one week off. I had the midterm on last thursday. Thanks to your thought consideration, I could come back home earlier and take some rest after all the stressful midterms. I feel great and relaxed now regardless of the result of midterms. Very Happy

See you on thursday.

Jason Renshaw on Fri May 02 2008, 09:39

Lee yujin wrote:
I'm sorry.
I never took an 2-hour test when I was in university..^^
So I was just a little bit anxious about that.
Also writing test would make me feel worried, because I am not good at writing under the time limits.
I think I've gone through well...because as you said I'm MA student.
I think I willl be strong enough to deal with more difficult and consuming exam...I will absolutely be !!

I didn't mean to be rude or complain.^^
I just wanted to talk about my feelings.
I strongly believe that you understand me, don't I?

ps

Hi Yujin,

I don't think you were rude, but you were complaining. That's fine, but after a while I have to confess I get very tired of hearing complaining. Some people spend so much time complaining, they don't actually do much else. I think there are better ways for us to be spending our time...

Your worries are typical of this learning context, and typically unfounded as well. From memory, you were one of the students who earned a very high score on the exam. As it turns out, you had nothing to worry about at all...

A few people have spoken to me about the 2-hour test time. Some were frightened, while others saw it as a unique challenge. I have to admit, I didn't realize that students could go all the way into grad school here, doing English-related majors, and never sit a 2 hour test requiring English... Well, there's a first time for everything, right? And as I've mentioned elsewhere, the test wasn't so much about testing your English writing ability as it was to determine what you had learned and what you thought.

I was very happy with the final test results. Those who performed well in class and paid attention were able to handle the test well and get a good score. Those who had poor attendance and/or attention in class tended to do worse. I think that makes for a valid, worthwhile, and fair test.

Yujin, just try in future not to complain the moment you are challenged with something. The glass is half full or half empty, depending on your attitude to it. It's not a matter of being rude or anything. It's just a healthier perspective to see challenges as opportunities and avenues for personal growth. Very Happy

Take care,

~ Jason

***

jihyun on Fri May 02 2008, 13:55

After I got the mid-term paper from teacher, honestly, I become so depressed.
Frankly speaking, I know that I got a pretty good score compared to my real ability and skill.
But the reason I am so blue is due to the fact that I have to take the Teacher Exam on December with this ability, having not enoguh time to practice and improve my English ability, at least, I feel like it. ㅠㅠ
These kinds of reality doesn't allow me to think that I will be able to pass that exam.
What am I supposed to do from now? I am so worried about my real ability.
There are so many people who have superior ablilty to me at this field......

Actually, I also have hard time to understand the Reuters' News......Eventhough I tried to listen almost everyday at my work place and whenever I have free time, I still can't notice my listening skill is improved so far. I still have hard time to get an idea.
So I play the news several times, but that fact (I have to listen dozens of times to understand when other can understand just with a few listening) even makes me more frustrated.
Yesterday, when we listend to the news at the class, I couldn't understand at all.
How sad!!!! How poor I am !!!

I know I have to practice harder. But I just can't handle my worries right now......^^;;
Today, I have to do left over work at my work place. During that time, I will listen more and more and do wirting work, hoping this can help me to a small extent.
'
'
No!! It's not me!!! I should be a positive person~~~ Cheer up!! ^^;; I can do it!!...............can I ???? pale

inmyheart479 on Mon May 05 2008, 00:01

Hi, beautiful lady.
Please don't let yourself down. I am not satisfied with the result either, but this is just the score.
And stilll we have more chance to achieve what we are looking for and we have enough time to show our potential. As to listening to the news, the same thing goes for me. I replay them over and over again taking extra time. But!!! The more time I put into it, the more I feel my English has gotten better and better.
Why don't we look on the bright side of things? Very Happy

Absoulutely, YOU CAN DO IT!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!

jihyun wrote:After I got the mid-term paper from teacher, honestly, I become so depressed.
Frankly speaking, I know that I got a pretty good score compared to my real ability and skill.
But the reason I am so blue is due to the fact that I have to take the Teacher Exam on December with this ability, having not enoguh time to practice and improve my English ability, at least, I feel like it. ㅠㅠ
These kinds of reality doesn't allow me to think that I will be able to pass that exam.
What am I supposed to do from now? I am so worried about my real ability.
There are so many people who have superior ablilty to me at this field......

Actually, I also have hard time to understand the Reuters' News......Eventhough I tried to listen almost everyday at my work place and whenever I have free time, I still can't notice my listening skill is improved so far. I still have hard time to get an idea.
So I play the news several times, but that fact (I have to listen dozens of times to understand when other can understand just with a few listening) even makes me more frustrated.
Yesterday, when we listend to the news at the class, I couldn't understand at all.
How sad!!!! How poor I am !!!

I know I have to practice harder. But I just can't handle my worries right now......^^;;
Today, I have to do left over work at my work place. During that time, I will listen more and more and do wirting work, hoping this can help me to a small extent.
'
'
No!! It's not me!!! I should be a positive person~~~ Cheer up!! ^^;; I can do it!!...............can I ????

Kim Jin-Young on Sat May 10 2008, 22:57

Hi^^ ji-hyun.
I could read your feelings, but I think that most of the students have the same feeling in a class including me. My score was not good as well, which disappointed me.
I was depressed all days because I suspected my real English ability as you did.

However, it would be a forward step to encourage ourselves to develop, not to be in the self-abasement. As far as I know, you have a great confidence and ability, so I envy you many times.
Also, in my opinion, even if my score and ability are not good enough, I sometimes feel happy to realize that I am much interested in English major and also, have much intention to develop English.

jihyun wrote:After I got the mid-term paper from teacher, honestly, I become so depressed.
Frankly speaking, I know that I got a pretty good score compared to my real ability and skill.
But the reason I am so blue is due to the fact that I have to take the Teacher Exam on December with this ability, having not enoguh time to practice and improve my English ability, at least, I feel like it. ㅠㅠ
These kinds of reality doesn't allow me to think that I will be able to pass that exam.
What am I supposed to do from now? I am so worried about my real ability.
There are so many people who have superior ablilty to me at this field......

Actually, I also have hard time to understand the Reuters' News......Eventhough I tried to listen almost everyday at my work place and whenever I have free time, I still can't notice my listening skill is improved so far. I still have hard time to get an idea.
So I play the news several times, but that fact (I have to listen dozens of times to understand when other can understand just with a few listening) even makes me more frustrated.
Yesterday, when we listend to the news at the class, I couldn't understand at all.
How sad!!!! How poor I am !!!

I know I have to practice harder. But I just can't handle my worries right now......^^;;
Today, I have to do left over work at my work place. During that time, I will listen more and more and do wirting work, hoping this can help me to a small extent.
'
'
No!! It's not me!!! I should be a positive person~~~ Cheer up!! ^^;; I can do it!!...............can I ????

Practical English Mid-Term Examination Guidelines

So nervous

I agree with you.

Re: Practical English Mid-Term Examination Guidelines

thank you

I will try as much as possible.

Thanks again.

Re: Practical English Mid-Term Examination Guidelines

I am so worried about myself!!

Cheer up!

All men feel the same way.