Analysis of a standardized test of ESL - Assignment Example

Analysis of a standardized test of ESL The English language is one of the most common languages in the world. Many countries have adopted it as an official language, and hence prompting most education systems to study it as a compulsory subject. However, due to diverse culture and other national languages spoken, the language has been at risk of being diluted or modified to suit specific needs. It is unfortunate that even though most people profess to know and to use the English language, they can barely understand each other due to the modifications brought about by accent and cultural influence. The risks that are being faced by English language users have prompted scholars to come up with a standard measure through which The English language can be preserved in its original form. There are specific language rules that have to be maintained, especially by those who wish to use the English language. In this paper, we analyze and critique some of the common ESL tests that are used to grade English users. Description The ILETS has been designed to test the users of English language in three paramount areas that include listening, reading and writing. For a person to claim to have mastered the art of fluently using the English language, he or she should learn to listen to it effectively, be able to read it and even write. Most people who claim to use the language are found short in either of the three features, hence limiting their communication (Charge & Lynda 34). Using the English language requires one to be able to communicate well, both in written and spoken language. This hence implies that they should be able to listen and understand when another person is talking and able to respond appropriately, whether it is through writing or speaking. Considering the sample test provided, we realize that emphasize has been put on distinct vowels that will help learners know how to listen to it. The first part is a test that helps learners understand some of the vowels used in speaking the language and how to identify them in spoken speech. The listening part The importance of the listening test is in its ability to help learners pay attention to how words are pronounced and able to respond. Contrary to assumptions that emphasize more on the written rather than the spoken, the test reveals how important it is for a person to learn the basic pronunciation of words. Most people who speak English have pronunciation difficulties that are influenced by their local dialects. Having the ability to listen to the spoken language and making an effort to respond in a similar manner has to be emphasized. The direct translation is one of the major challenges that are faced by the English language (Chalhoub-Deville & Carolyn 80). People fail to attend to the fact that the organization of sentences in other dialects is different from the original language. While answering the questions, one can listen to themselves and know how best they can answer. Depending on the responses given, the examiner can know the level of understanding the candidate is at. The reading part Reading the English language remains to be a significant challenge to many, even those born speaking the language. Unlike speaking and writing the language, reading is one of the greatest challenges faced by the users of English language. Reading English requires one to understand various spellings and how they are pronounced. Reading is a level of the English language that requires the learner to use all the five senses. As one reads through the passages, they can look at the words, listen to them and even feel them. The passages in the sample test have been designed to help the learner know where to pause, stop or just continue. Emphasis has also been put on rhyme scheme, which is a challenge to many. The test has put into consideration the fact that some learners may have a heavy tongue that makes it difficult to pronounce some words. Putting the words in s pros like manner helps the learner to have more exposure to such words, and hence mastering the technique to speak them confidently. The test also looks at the use of figures and words, which aid in communication. The learner is given a variety of options that are wholesome. Reading the passages helps them know when and how to use figures and numbers in a passage. The writing part The last part that the ILETS looks at is the written part of the language. Writing the English language is one of the easiest ways that a person can do best basing on their level of education. The beauty of writing the English language is based on the fact that rules can be adjusted basing on the audience and level of learning the language. The test makes it easy for people to different levels, age, and background to write it up. One of the basic learning techniques embraced is on the interpretation of images. A picture can speak volumes and giving people a variety to writing on. Writing is the best ways through which an examiner can tell the learner, even when they don’t know them in person. The writing test can be used for a variety of audience and will give a clear picture of the level at which the candidate is in terms of learning the English language. The examiner can tell the challenges faced by the learner, and the specific areas that require help. Analyzing the three areas of listening, reading and writing is important in helping people master the original taste of the language. Proper pronunciation of English words remains one of the most ignored aspects of English language. Most scholars of the English language emphasize more on writing and listening to correct language and not on pronouncing the words correctly. Even though many who wrongly pronounce the words are aware of it, little efforts are usually made to ensure that such words are pronounced well. Irrespective of the level of local dialect influence, practicing proper pronunciation has always helped people speak correct English. The importance of the test is to remind examiners and learners that there is an original form of the English language that has to be followed. It is necessary for the users of English language to know that it is not jus about being able to write or pronounce some few words, but rather doing it the right way. Critique Efforts of maintaining and retaining the original taste of the English language have been faced with various challenges. One of the challenges has been redefining and modifying the language to fit diverse needs. The fact is that many communities cannot manage the original accent and form of the language. The ILETS tests are designed to fit the needs of various individuals. As observed in the second chapter of the book, Language assessment: Principles and classroom practices, the test has to be significant to a particular candidate. The test takes into consideration that many communities that embrace English as an official language use it as a second or even third language. Despite the differences noted in pronunciation of words based on local dialect, its credibility cannot be compromised to suit such need. The use of the language is hence out of compulsion, rather than necessity (Brown 56). Considering the need of learning the language, many people have embraced it, yet not separated it from their local dialects. In fact, most of the nations using English as a second or third language maintain the accent and only embrace the wording. We hence find the language being spoken in accents that make it difficult for a person to understand unless they pay a lot of attention. Chapter two looks at the specific guidelines that have to be followed while designing and undertaking the test. One of the guidelines is on time management which has been considered in the sample test. The learner needs to know how much time is required to spend on a particular test, whether it is a multiple choice or filling in the blanks. Most tests mention the time that a person has to take, while those that are based online time the learner. The importance of time is emphasized to help the learner develop a particular thinking capacity. The credibility of the test is in assisting both teachers and students to master the principles of the language. The test hence does not just focus on the learners of English language but also on the tutors. Before any tutor administers the test to a learner, they must ensure that it is doable within the given time. For instance, the tests are usually standardized, in a way that they do not particularly target a group of learners or teachers. It is hence up to the teachers to look at the test and find out how fair it is for the students. The tests are designed differently according to what the examiner is looking for from the student. For instance, the reading test will be long and more detailed, if the target learners have more issues with reading rather than writing. Most of the ILETS tests are done online where they are automatically marked. Considering the variety of websites that are used, there is no telling of the English version embraced by the examiner or the automated website. Most learners will also give answers according to how they were taught, which may be contrary to the standards used by the tests. Unless the learner digs deeper into the details of the tests and the answers given, the ILETS leaves many learners with more questions than answers (Feast 77). For instance, when one is required to fill in a blank space, they fill with the phrase they feel most appropriate. However, when they are examined, and some of the answers are found wrong, yet sound right to the learner, it becomes difficult for them to understand why. Most people who learn English as a second language make use of their mother tongue in learning it. Tutors will have to use the familiar language to help them learn the unfamiliar. Translating the two dialects becomes quite challenging especially in explaining why a statement has to take a particular form and not the other. The advantage of the ILETS test is on the assumption that it follows the set standards of the original English language. Even though it may be difficult for the learner to know the specific language rules being used, the learner undertakes the test with the confidence that it follows the internationally accepted standards. Most online tests may not be able to tell how and why a particular answer was not accepted but gives a general grade on performance. The scores obtained to act as a motivation to the learner, by helping them know the more effort they need to put in. Realizing that the tests provide an accepted form of English language, more exposure to them help the learner understand the language even more. The tests are not just like any other language examination questions but are particular about the challenges that people have in learning the language. The reading test exposes the learner to most mispronounced words and giving them a chance to improve on them. The ILETS is necessary for any person who is passionate about using the English language correctly. The test is for those who believe that English has its original form and that the other versions are simply for convenience. As globalization takes a toll on the masses, it has become necessary to understand the standard way of using the language. Despite the difficulties observed in learning the language due to cultural backgrounds, anybody who desires to use the language should be ready to learn and use it correctly. Using the language conveniently rather than properly is an abuse that makes it lose its original purpose. Works cited Brown, H. Douglas. Language assessment: Principles and classroom practices. Allyn & Bacon, 2004. Chalhoub-Deville, Micheline, and Carolyn E. Turner. "What to look for in ESL admission tests: Cambridge certificate exams, IELTS, and TOEFL." System 28.4 (2000): 523-539. Charge, Nick, and Lynda B. Taylor. "Recent developments in IELTS." ELT Journal 51.4 (1997): 374-380. Feast, Vicki. "The impact of IELTS scores on performance at university." International Education Journal 3.4 (2002): 70-85. Read More