VietTESOL International Convention 2022
Nha Trang University, September 16-18
Language assessment was already heading towards computer-delivered tests when COVID-19 accelerated the speed of travel. Face-to-face testing was limited or entirely suspended, a situation that delayed or potentially threatened the dreams of thousands of young people hoping to take the next step of their lives – towards university, the workplace or international mobility. Many international tests of English have since offered on-computer test options, but this remains daunting to test-takers who might be used to traditional pen-and-paper testing and whose teachers might be ill-equiped to prepare them for tests on computer, particularly the assessment of the productive skills. This presentation focuses on the 'on-computer' testing of speaking using the speaking component of the IELTS on Computer test. We take a look at why test-takers might feel uncertain about taking a speaking test, such as IELTS, on computer rather than face-to-face and consider how they can draw on their experience of technology in everyday life to feel more confident about their performance and chances of success. We also introduce valuable tips for teachers to prepare their students for their on-computer speaking test, introducing tools that teachers can draw on in the IELTS preparation classroom and that test-takers can use to practice for computer speaking tests such as IELTS on Computer. This presentation will be of interest to teachers and learners who are unfamiliar with online speaking tests and need guidance on how to prepare.
Pre-recorded Session VietTESOL International Convention 2022 convention@viettesol.org.vnLanguage assessment was already heading towards computer-delivered tests when COVID-19 accelerated the speed of travel. Face-to-face testing was limited or entirely suspended, a situation that delayed or potentially threatened the dreams of thousands of young people hoping to take the next step of their lives – towards university, the workplace or international mobility. Many international tests of English have since offered on-computer test options, but this remains daunting to test-takers who might be used to traditional pen-and-paper testing and whose teachers might be ill-equiped to prepare them for tests on computer, particularly the assessment of the productive skills. This presentation focuses on the 'on-computer' testing of speaking using the speaking component of the IELTS on Computer test. We take a look at why test-takers might feel uncertain about taking a speaking test, such as IELTS, on computer rather than face-to-face and consider how they can draw on their experience of technology in everyday life to feel more confident about their performance and chances of success. We also introduce valuable tips for teachers to prepare their students for their on-computer speaking test, introducing tools that teachers can draw on in the IELTS preparation classroom and that test-takers can use to practice for computer speaking tests such as IELTS on Computer. This presentation will be of interest to teachers and learners who are unfamiliar with online speaking tests and need guidance on how to prepare.