Problems in language, Testing, Assessment and Evaluation
An effective teaching and learning process is based on assessing, either informally or formally, students’ abilities and knowledge. This last includes testing and evaluate their work, but when teachers misuse these processes, several problems will face them. For instance, why do teachers spend so much time preparing learners to take tests and focus more on teaching rather than developing student’s abilities. And motivate them to make progression in their learning. In this context, Eklof (2010) argued that “test acts as a motivational tool for study and learning, incentivising increased effort on the part of the learner”. (as cited in Fulcher and Owen, n.d, p.01). If tests are carefully designed for both to reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that are the goals of an educational programme, as well as to motivate learners, the existence of the test will guide the efficient and effective learning of relevant content.
Also, there are other linked problems with students. Such as feeling stressed during evaluation situations and that affects negatively on students ‘performance.According to Harmer (2007) claimed that, students have just a single chance to show their abilities. He believed that the unfair situation, where students saying, “they feel discomfort in exam”. So, the problem noticed here is that the students did not perform well in these testing situations, and their test scores will not reflect their true level. Although Jha (2015, p.07) added that,” it is a widely accepted fact that each person is unique in his or her abilities”. This means that each and every student is different from others. Is it fair, then, to prepare just one set of questions for the students, knowing that each of their abilities vary? Questions required for evaluation must be student specific in order to truly see the progress and the knowledge level of the students. he supported that to say “Think of Thomas Alva Edison and Albert Einstein, two of the greatest minds in recent history. Both of them were considered academic failures and yet they both went on to achieve success that their so called academic “superiors” couldn’t.
Besides, another related issue to language testing is known as “Washback” or ‘backwash”. These two terms are commonly used interchangeably in the field of applied linguistics, i.e., they both have the same meaning. It refers to a complex phenomenon that is centered on the educational system in general and language testing in particular. There is a considerable variation in the way researchers have been defined the word washback. Those Some definitions are very simple and easy to understand, while other definitions are very complex. Some tend to focus on teachers and students in the classroom environment, while other, more complex, tend to involve references to what influences tests might have on the educational system or even society in general (Bailey,1999). It is also known that tests have a strong authority and major impact on students’ future career. Due to its importance learners are under pressure to achieve the required marks to enter the university. At the same time, teachers are also affected by washback. Include their teaching methods used in classroom. (Ramezaney,2014). Thus, its effect is one of the majors of the major issues within the field of assessment. Berry (1994)
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Conclusion
Through this chapter, we have dealt with three important concepts which are closely related to the educational system. And these are “evaluation”, “assessment” and “testing”. They indeed have a huge role in the educational system. First, we approached each them by giving its definition and the goals assigned to achieve. Then, we showed the differences that exit between them. And finally, we gave to each concept its types and characteristics. In addition to this, we dealt with examination, its goals, and qualities. At last, we discussed several problems in relation to testing. And found out that these occur often when students are taking test.
ChapterThree
Data Analysis
And Results
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