Online ESL assessment tips and tricks

Hello!I’m David from WeTeach.I am going to help you get started with online English teaching.You can learn more at weteach.info.

Objectives Build rapportFind English level

Practice new language

LessonUse free

Oxford Owl graded readers

available here

texts

Lesson outline

Break the ice

Share the objectivesFind student’s level

Finish up

Break the iceBegin building rapport and preparing your student for success.

Share the objectivesLet your student know what you wish to cover during the lesson.

Find student’s levelDetermine which Oxford Owl reading level to help select future lesson texts.

Finding your student’s English level

To determine your student’s starting Oxford reading level, ask your student the following series of questions starting with the “Oxford Level 1+” question group.

Finding your student’s English level

If the student is able to answer each of the questions in a group correctly and with little hesitation, move on the the next question group.

Finding your student’s English level

Once the student begins struggling to answer your questions, you have identified the student’s starting Oxford reading level.

Oxford Level 1+

� What’s your name?� Can you spell your name?� How old are you?� Where are you from?� [In reference to a basic object that the student

can see on camera] What’s this?

Oxford Level 2

� What food do you like?� What do you like to drink?� What are your hobbies? / What do you like to

do?� Do you like sports? / Which sports do you like?� What do you want to do tomorrow?

Oxford Level 3

� What’s the weather like today? How about yesterday?

� Can you tell me about a good friend? What does he/she look like? What is he/she like?

� Can you tell me about your home? How many rooms are there in your home? What furniture is in the different rooms?

Oxford Level 3 (cont.)

� Can you tell me about your neighborhood? What shops are there near your home? Are there any parks near your home?

Oxford Level 4

� Can you describe your clothes? / What are you wearing?

� What do you usually do in the morning / afternoon / evening?

� What did you do yesterday?� What have you done today?

Oxford Level 5

� What is your favorite subject at school? Why do you like it? What is your least favorite subject at school? Why do you dislike it?

� What do you usually talk about with your friends?

Oxford Level 5 (cont.)

� Can you tell me about the food in your country? Do you think that it is popular outside of your country? Why (not)?

� Can you tell me about two of your teachers? How are they different? How are they the same?

Oxford Level 6

� Can you talk about your favorite TV show or book? What is it about? What are the characters like?

� Can you tell me about a time when you felt excited / frightened / angry? What happened?

Oxford Level 6 (cont.)

� Can you tell me about a traditional festival in your country? How do people celebrate this festival?

� Can you tell me about the best vacation you have ever had? Where did you go? What did you do?

Finish upSummarize what was covered, and encourage your student to book his or her next lesson right away.

About us

WeTeach connects experienced teachers with Chinese primary school students to learn online. Part of our proceeds goes to charities supporting education projects in rural China.

Any questions?You can find out more at weteach.info.