Assessment
- How is the learners' language assessed?
- What kind of tasks will the learners have to complete in the exams?
- Does the centre get involved in the assessment?
- How are the spoken exams assessed?
- Can the learners use a dictionary during the exam?
- How do you decide the results? What is the pass mark?
- What grades do you award?
How is the learners' language assessed?
The assessment varies according to the skills that are being tested, but apart from the ACE teaching qualification the assessment is all exam based. Some questions are multiple choice, others require the learners to write or speak in English. The examinations are assessed by trained examiners.
What kind of tasks will the learners have to complete in the exams?
Wherever possible we use tasks that are similar to the language tasks that they would be expected to deal with in real life eg reading a series of letters and emails; presenting information; organising an evening out; making a phone call; writing a letter.
Does the centre get involved in the assessment?
No, apart from the ACE qualification which involves a degree of internal assessment, the International English Qualifications are externally marked by trained examiners.
How are the spoken exams assessed?
For the spoken examinations the learners are required to complete an oral interview that is conducted by an 'interlocutor'. The role of the interlocutor is played by a representative from the centre (please see SESOL resources for further details).
The interlocutor could be a teacher or other member of staff and their job is to ask the learners questions and set up activities that will enable them to demonstrate their abilities in English.
The interlocutors are provided with strict guidance on how to conduct the examinations and elicit the performance of the candidates. The learners' performance is recorded and then sent to a trained examiner for assessment.
Can the learners use a dictionary during the exam?
During the IESOL and EBC exams they will be allowed to use a monolingual dictionary.
How do you decide the results? What is the pass mark?
For most of the exams the results are decided on the basis of the learners' performance and are marked according to specific criteria. If they reach the criteria set, then they will pass the exam. Usually the final mark is calculated from the various grades and marks they get on the individual sections of an exam paper.
For the ACE qualifications the learners' results are calculated on the basis of course work, practical teaching experience and the results of a multiple choice examination.
What grades do you award?
For the examinations the grades awarded are:
First Class Pass, Pass or Fail.