Breaking the mould? ASSESSING FIRST YEAR STUDENTS Cédric Moreau, University of Strathclyde SALT Conference 2012
Feb 22, 2016
Breaking the mould?
ASSESSING FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
Cédric Moreau, University of Strathclyde
SALT Conference 2012
French 1A students: A profile…
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY How much time have you spent in France? (or other French speaking countries)
- none / less than 2 weeks: 49.49 % (51.43 %, 56.80 %)
- 2 weeks - 4 weeks: 45.45 % (28.57 %, 28.80 %)
Compared with your other subjects at school, did you find French:
- more difficult: 14.14 % (0 %, 7.20 %)
- as difficult: 33.33 % (28.57 %, 44.00 %)
- easier: 52.53 % (71.43 %, 48.80 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
Your strongest point in French is: (select one only):
- reading:
- speaking:
- writing:
- listening:
Your weakest point in French is: (select one only):
- reading:
- speaking:
- writing:
- listening:
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
Your strongest point in French is: (select one only):
- reading: 59.60 % (60 %, 64.00 %)
- speaking: 20.20 % (14.29 %, 19.20 %)
- writing: 16.16 % (11.43 %, 11.20 %)
- listening: 4.04 % (14.29 %, 5.60 %)
Your weakest point in French is: (select one only):
- reading: 2.02 % (8.57 %, 2.40 %)
- speaking: 24.24 % (25.71 %, 29.60 %)
- writing: 14.14 % (17.14 %, 17.60 %)
- listening: 59.60 % (48.57 %, 50.40 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY At school last year (or whenever you last studied French), did you watch French TV / videos in
class?
- regularly: 18.18 % (20.00 %, 16.00 %)
- sometimes: 54.55 % (51.43 %, 46.40 %)
- hardly ever: 27.27 % (28.57 %, 37.60 %)
Did you speak French in class?
- most of the time: 14.14 % (17.14 %, 16.80 %)
- often: 59.60 % (48.57 %, 51.20 %)
- rarely: 21.21 % (28.57 %, 28.80 %)
- hardly ever: 5.05 % (5.71 %, 3.20 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
What do you most want to improve on this year?
- reading: 3.03 % (2.86 %, 0.80 %)
- speaking: 43.43 % (57.14 %, 53.60 %)
- writing: 19.19 % (11.43 %, 21.60 %)
- listening: 34.34 % (28.57 %, 24.00 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
Speaking French: I do not speak French as well as I could because…
- "My pronunciation / accent is a problem." 7.07 % (2.86 %, 12.80 %)
- "I haven't got much to say anyway." 4.04 % (2.86 %, 0.80 %)
- "I'm afraid to make a fool of myself." 15.15 % (31.43 %, 27.20 %)
- "I can't find the right words / phrases." 51.52 % (25.71 %, 36.80 %)
- "I rarely get the chance to speak it." 18.18 % (31.43 %, 17.60 %)
- "My spoken French is very good." 4.04 % (5.71 %, 4.80 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
A language is made of 2 components: structures (grammar) and vocabulary. Which one do you need most help with?
- structures: 53.54 % (57.14 %, 70.40 %)
- vocabulary: 16.16 % (11.43 %, 12.00 %)
- both: 30.30 % (31.43 %, 17.60 %)
Your knowledge of French grammar is:
- almost inexistent: 0 % (0 %, 0.80 %)
- very shaky: 17.17 % (11.43 %, 16.00 %)
- OK: 60.61 % (42.86 %, 41.60 %)
- good: 18.18 % (40.00 %, 36.80 %)
- very good: 3.03 % (5.71 %, 4.80 %)
- excellent: 1.01 % (0 %, 0 %)
THE FRENCH 1A ENTRY SURVEY
At this point in your studies, your understanding of French is good enough to allow you to follow language classes carried out:
- entirely in French: 5.05 % (11.43 %, 4.00 %)
- mostly in French: 34.34 % (48.57 %, 48.80 %)
- half in French, half in English: 48.48 % (37.14 %, 43.20 %)
- in English with only some French: 12.12 % (2.86 %, 4.00 %)
The French 1A Three Virtuous Learning Cycles!
1. The Grammar Improvement circle
Lecture Test of understanding of grammar point + Further development
Self-evaluation
Summative assessment of grammatical & lexical knowledge
Tutorial Reading comprehension Grammar in context (discovery & deduction)
Practice quizzes
Post-lecture diagnostic
Move to next topic
2. The Cultural Background Devpt circle
Lecture Contextualisation and explanation
Written expression task Bringing together cultural background knowledge and linguistic ability
Pre-Lecture reading Discovery of factual knowledge
Questions
Further reading
Move to next topic
3. The Spoken Language improvement circle
Oral class 1 ‘Prepared’ expression and vocabulary development
Oral class 2 Pronunciation & Spontaneous expression
Video work Listening comprehension and cultural awareness .
Class 1 preparation
Class 2 preparation
Move to next topic
1. The Grammar Improvement circle
Lecture Test of understanding of grammar point + Further development
Self-evaluation
Summative assessment of grammatical & lexical knowledge
Tutorial Reading comprehension Grammar in context (discovery & deduction)
Practice quizzes
Post-lecture diagnostic
Move to next topic
2. The Cultural Background Devpt circle
Lecture Contextualisation and explanation
Written expression task Bringing together cultural background knowledge and linguistic ability
Pre-Lecture reading Discovery of factual knowledge
Questions
Further reading
Move to next topic
3. The Spoken Language improvement circle
Oral class 1 ‘Prepared’ expression and vocabulary development
Oral class 2 Pronunciation & Spontaneous expression
Video work Listening comprehension and cultural awareness .
Class 1 preparation
Class 2 preparation
Move to next topic
ASSESSING THINGS…SEMESTRE 1
The class will be assessed entirely by continuous assessment. This will be based on 5 main components, evaluated by a variety of on-line tasks, class tests, home assignments and class performance. Each component will involve individual submissions. Continuous assessment components: 20% Grammatical and lexical knowledge; 20% Listening comprehension; 20% Reading comprehension; 20% Use of written language and cultural knowledge; 20% Use of spoken language and cultural knowledge.
SEMESTRE 2
The class will be assessed by a mixture of continuous assessment and a final examination; each worth 50% of the overall result. The continuous assessment will be based on 4 components evaluated by a variety of on-line tasks, class tests, home assignments and class performance. All these will involve individual submissions. Continuous Assessments Components: (50% of overall result) 25% Grammatical and lexical knowledge 25% Listening comprehension 25% Translation 25% Use of spoken language and cultural knowledge
Examination in May / June (50% of overall result) [2 hours] 2 Components: 70 % Use of written language and cultural knowledge +
translation analysis 30% Use of spoken language and cultural knowledge
THE FRENCH 1A EXPERIENCE SURVEY
With reference to French, how would you rate the transition from High school to First year university?
- Easy (0): (20.00 %)
- Relatively easy (0): (60.00 %)
- Difficult (0): (20.00 %)
- Very difficult (0): (0%)
THE FRENCH 1A EXPERIENCE SURVEY
At the end of First year, overall did you feel...
- Your French had improved a lot.: (26.67 %)
- Your French had improved quite a lot.: (33.33 %)
- Your French had improved a little.: (40.00 %)
- Your French had neither improved nor got worse.: 0
- Your French had got worse.: 0
THE FRENCH 1A EXPERIENCE SURVEY
In terms of your own expectations, would you say that...
- you achieved more than you expected at the beginning of the year.: (33.33 %)
- you were where you expected to be at the end of First year.: (46.67 %)
- you didn't achieve as much as you expected at the beginning of the year.: (20.00 %)
THE FRENCH 1A EXPERIENCE SURVEY
In which of the following areas do you feel you have made most significant progress? (NB: more than one answer possible)
- Speaking French.: (60.00 %)
- Listening to authentic French.: (26.67 %)
- Writing in French.: (26.67 %)
- Reading French.: (33.33 %)
- Understanding how the language works.: (60.00 %)
- Cultural awareness and knowledge.: (73.33 %)
THE FRENCH 1A EXPERIENCE SURVEY
In which of the following areas do you feel you still need most work? (NB: only ONE answer possible)
- Speaking French.: (33.33 %)
- Listening to authentic French.: (13.33 %)
- Writing in French.: (40.00 %)
- Reading French.: 0
- Understanding how the language works.: (13.33 %)
- Cultural awareness and knowledge.: 0
Is the mould broken?
Is the river flowing?