TASKS
Essay WritingFormal Letter WritingInformal Letter WritingStoryArticleReportReviewEmailBlog EntryMediation
Sharing Personal ExperienceProblem SolvingComparing & ContrastingDescriptionAsking QuestionsRole PlayDiscussionPresentationCollaborationMediation
Book / FictionDialogueMonologue (e.g lectures, news, talksInternet Based InformationArticlesReportsAdvertisementsCorrespondenceMessagesInformation Materials (e.g. leaflets, brochures) Interacting Texts (e.g. conver-sations, interviews, quizzes)
WRITING
SPEAKING
READING-LISTENING
Pedagogical Tasks
Exam Related Tasks
Explain Mock ExamsTimed Practice Test Writing
Stategies for Timed Examination Conditions
Have Students Score Classroom WorkReview Answers to Test Questions
Teacher’s Time Allocation to Tasks (4 Skills)
Explain Format and Content of Exam ModulesPractice the Test Situation
Scoring
This study is an investigation into the washback effect (Alderson & wall, 1993) of multi-exam classes on teaching practices in Greece. Washback is acknowl-edged as a part of validity (Messick, 1996) of language testing and assessment. However, even though research has been undertaken on the influence of lan-guage exams on teaching and learning in countries around the world (Green 2006; Mickan & Motteram, 2008) only limited research has been undertaken in the Greek context (Tsagari, 2009).
In Greece students have a great number of language examinations to choose from so they often participate in more than one exam in the same exam period. The term ‘multi-exam’ class best describes the variety of exams which are taught in the same exam preparation classes in Greece presenting an interesting pedagogical ecology. This study aims to investigate the nature and type of the methodology teachers use in multi-exam classes and the extent to which their approaches are influenced by the nature and requirements of this kind of preparation classes.
The theoretical underpinnings and research design of the study are presented, by drawing a distinction made between ‘methods’, ‘activities’ and ‘tasks’ when studying teachers’ methodology in washback studies. Finally, the overall research methods that will be used are displayed.
Abstract
15 English language examinations that are administered in Greece for B2 level (Council of Europe, 2001): • Recognized by the Greek Government • Approved by ASEP (Civil Service Staffing Council) • Qualifications used for admission or promotion in private & public sectors
The Classes in privately-owned institutions (frontistiria) prepare students:• For any of the above exams• Most often students enroll at two of the EFL certificates of the 15 available in the expectation that if they do not succeed in the one they can always get the qualification from the second one • Such classes are described as ‘multi-exam’ classes, a new term which is intro duced for the better understanding of this study Multi-exam classes:
• In Greece students have a great number of language examinations to choose from• They often participate in more than one exam in the same exam period • The term ‘multi-exam’ class best describes the variety of exams which are taught in the same exam preparation classes in Greece• Teachers in exam preparation classes are obliged to teach and prepare students for two or even three or four exams in the same class • Multi-exam classes present an interesting pedagogical ecology
Students have the opportunity to prepare themselves for these exams in privately-owned institutions (frontistiria) teaching:• School subjects • Foreign languages aiming mainly at exams • Courses in various languages like English, French, German, Italian, Spanish• Provide courses for all age groups and levels • Prepare students for a variety of EFL high-stakes exams
Aspects of Classroom Methods
Interaction Patterns
Use of first or/and Target Language
Feedback and Error Correction
Skill
sTeacher Questions
Classroom Discipline and other behaviors
Teac
her T
alk
Instructions-Explanations-Suggestions
Aspects of Classroom Methods
Amount & Time
Greek / English
Question Types
Nature & Function ofAssessment& Correction
LaughterStressAnxiety
Patterns used
ReadingSpeakingListeningWriting
Explanations
Multiple - choice QuestionsSentence Completion / Gap fill SentenceMultiple Matching Questions
Gapped TextAnswer Questions
Dictation
Multiple - choice ClozeOpen ClozeWord FormationKey Word TransformationTrue / FalseMatchingOrdering
ACTIVITIES
PlanningSentence FormationPractice Parts of Language (e.g. linkers)
Answer QuestionsMemorize
Write Paragraphs
LISTENINGREADINGGRAMMARVOCABULARY
WRITING SPEAKING
Focus on:
Teaching Practices in exam preparation classes
Activities
Methods
Tasks
1. To what extent does the multi-exam context influence the methodology teachers use in their multi-exam classes? 2. What is the nature and the scope of the influence?3. What are the methods used in multi-exam preparation classes?4. What are the activities used in multi-exam preparation classes?5. What are the tasks used in multi-exam preparation classes?6. How do teachers decide on the methodology they use in multi-exam classes?7. How do teachers handle the potential influence of a high stake’s exam in their classroom practice?
Methodology Used to Tackle these Research Questions
Research Questions:
12. Test of English of International Com-munication TOEIC),score: 505-780
14. Kratiko Pistopii-tiko Glossomathias (KPG) B2 Level
15. Michigan State University (MSU-CELC): CEF B2
3. International English Language Testing System score: 4,5–5,5/9, University of Cam-bridge
5. Pearson Test of English (PTE General), Level 3
2. Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) score: 60–74/100
4. English Certificate of Com-petency in English, (ECCE), University of Michigan
1. First Certificate in English (FCE), University of Cambridge
11. Business English Certificate-Vantage (BEC VAN-TAGE)
13. Educational Development International (EDI) Level 1 JETSET Level 5
9. English Speaking Board (ESB) Level 1, Certificate in ESOL International
10. Test Of Interactive English, (TIE), B2 Level
6. Certificate in Integrated Skills in English (ISE II), Trinity Col-lege London
7. City & Guilds, Level 1 Communicator Level Certificate, Certificate
8. Open College of North Wests (OCNW) Certificate in ESOL International Level 1
Irini Papakammenou
Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Email: [email protected]
University of Cyprus
A Study of the Teaching Practices Used in EFL Multi-exam Preparation Classes
Irini PapakammenouIrini Papakammenou
