You would have experienced a number of assessment practices in the course.
1) There was a mid term where you were given 3 essay questions beforehand and told to prepare for them. Then you were tested on two of them. It helped many of you write a constructive paper because you could focus on the issues in depth without having to worry over basic facts and details. It was definitely less stressful for the instructor as it helped me assess how much learning had taken place and take appropriate measures. That was diagnostic. 2) Then you had a couple of quizzes where you had to provide short answers but the content was spread over a number of modules and many of you did not do too well. Then again, the weightage for these quizzes were minimal and I do not see much risk in that. It is unfortunate that some of you still think that a fraction of a mark matters but it really does not since you have extra credit assignments. 3) Next, you had to engage in a number of assignments where you evaluated learner needs, digested articles and finally (still working on it) came up with a courseware for a specific set of learners. This include the papers for the extra credit assignments as well. That was part of the learning process. Well, after so many weeks I have come to know many of you through your writings and I see that some of you have taken to it like ducks to water while others still seem to be looking for the water. (I guess this is the fascinating garden that we have been talking about). 4) Last but not least were the task based activities where you had to write a letter, come up with realistic activities. Some were original while others were ... (I am sure you can fill in the blanks).
Well, my question for the week being: Which of these assessments did you see as relevant to your needs? Which particular assignment did you feel helped expand your understanding of ESP or would help you in your career? Do you have some suggestions for further improvement to be made. By the way, can any of these assignments be used in your real life. Let discuss some of these questions.
Oh yah, lets leave the finals out of this discussion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I would say that a mid-term exam where 3 essay questions given beforehand is most relevant to my needs because I have gone through four years studying and I do not want to fail especially in this final semester. Therefore, I would study hard for it. I do not like quizzes because it requires details which I am not good at.
ReplyDeleteThe mid-term exam where 3 essay questions given beforehand, assignments that related to ESP course, and a letter to the Ministry of Education helped me to understand ESP well.
3 essay questions given beforehand required me to find the answer and forced to understand the facts and related to what I understand in writing the answer. I found that I learn more of ESP.
The assignments also help me to see that ESP course is established because of the learners need whereas a letter to the Ministry of Education I found that I know more of the language teaching in the country and help in my career. For example, every learner learns a different way. The educators need to suit for their needs. By the way, I heard that educators can make a difference in the world but I found that one person really does nothing. In the end, we tend to follow what they are doing. It needs cooperation from all the levels in the society. Then, how educators make a difference? Can English Teacher give some suggestions?
For me, the 1st assignment (needs analysis) helps me much in understanding what ESP is. This assignment requires us to prepare the important things that we need to have in order to develop the ESP course. We gain a lot of understanding when working for this assignment because it is authentic & reflects the real life situation.
ReplyDeletefor me, the first assigment (needs analysis) and the quizzes really help me in understanding ESP.from the needs analysis, it helps me to understand what is ESP all about. from the quizzes, it helps me to focus on the important part in a topic.it helps me to focus and narrow the scope in the ESP subject itself.these two helps me a lot.
ReplyDeletePersonally, i enjoyed the extra writings (Khoo,Kozol and Freire)though i have had difficulties understanding the articles in the beginning. i found them relevant to the learning environment i am familiar with and i was able to relate to the issues mentioned.
ReplyDeleteMid-term and quizzes, nothing much to say. As for letter writing, i thought i heard something like 'no name, no matrix number, no initials' but obviously i need to get my ears chekced. sigh:)
I agree with Amal that the 1st assignment helped in understanding ESP and purpose of needs analysis through practice. i struggled with the 2nd assignment, and am working on the 3rd one with group members.
Last but not least,the intended user for e-portfolio is the potential instructor(s) or the learner(s)?
TQ
In my opinion the most challenging is the quiz (not the lecture by Cohen (2007). It is challenging because when the quiz is conducted I still really did not understand what are the goals, characteristics and purpose of ESP and the issues or problem affecting ESP today. It takes time for me to process the information that I get from the lecture and from my own knowledge. However I take the challenges positively. Especially the e-portfolio until now our group still struggling …and sometimes feel confusing but we try our best…
ReplyDeleteAfter experienced a number of assessment practices in this course, all are relevant towards my needs in my career. Sorry for those who are not satisfied with me. They share one goal or aim for us in the future. The different are the way on how we discover, express and present the knowledge and information we have and when we are going to apply all of the ESP knowledge that we have. So, it is one of the ways that will help us to make a difference.
Frankly speaking, when I was still new with this courses I really not able to see the significance of this course towards my teaching profession. After went trough all the task except the final exam, I realize that in the process of learning, we need to experienced all challenges and obstacles then we know how to appreciate the value knowledge and information that we gain from our own commitment and initiative and from our helpful and supportive friends, and the dedicated lecturer.
The 3rd assignment in course designing provide better picture on waht ESP is all about. It helps me to recall previous assignments where there is interrelation. In designing the course,target situation analyses is the most importan factor to be considered.Despite that I'm not an IT savvy,I undertsna dthe ideas in developing the e-portfolio and what criteria that are needed to be fulfilled. The course designing is applicable to others subjects which point to target situation analyses and develop teaching-strategies in helping the learners in language proficiency.
ReplyDeleteIn view of this, the given assignments had helped me to understand the issues on ESP especially the problem statements, implications and ideas to help the learners to cater their needs.
To me, I prefer to have critical reviews the most. It really helps me understand the whole concept of ESP in my own understanding. It does not requires me to memorise all the details, which I am not good at, but giving me space to think and reflect my understanding as well as giving me the opportunity to relates it to my own knowledge. Examination is my least favourite. Through out my years as a student, I found it hard for me to cope with exams, especially the one that is constructed in a way that requires much memorization and give back information. Often, I found that I could not get good grades, which I feel doing me injustice, as I do understand the subject as a whole. For the first and third assignments, I enjoyed it as it gives me the opportunity to experience the role as a course developer, which I think will be beneficial for me in the future. Terima Kasih a.k.a Thank You
ReplyDeleteTo me, Assignment 1 and 3 are relevant to my needs. They help me to have hands on experience of how to design an ESP course. It is interesting to go out and approach the potential ESP learners and ask for their needs. I really learn a lot from the needs analysis conducted on the student and get to hear their true voice. Besides, doing Assignment 3 also made me go through the process of finding materials and thinking of activities to design an ESP course. This is useful to me in real life if I wanted to conduct an ESP course in future.
ReplyDeleteAssigment 1 helped me to understand this ESP course better. Honestly,first few weeks I still dunno what is this course all about because it seems just like learning the general english but a bit more specific. But then,when it came to the assignment 1, I realised that this course or ESP more detail in it teaching purpose as it take into consideration the needs of learners specifically and focus on specific area of English use.
ReplyDeleteFor the mid-term exam, for me it still reflect the traditional method of testing which require me to memorise more on the theories in order to be able to answer the questions...just my opinion k.
Assignment 3 I think it's more interesting as it integrated the technology and in some way a bit similar to our previous course CALL. Besides, I think this assigment give me really usefull experience, because as an educator-to-be, maybe I have to do a specific course for specific need for my students.
For the critical reviews, the tasks help me think and see beyond the paper...sometimes it difficult to do, but, it actually help me to understand the real meaning on ESP.
Assignment 1 and 3 help me to understand more about ESP. Whereas critical reviews and assignment 2 help me to expand my understanding of ESP as I have to review the articles and get to know things that I have not aware of before this. From the assignments 1 and 3, I think that it is useful to know what are the learners' needs although they have taken particular courses before they get the current position/job.
ReplyDeleteThe extra credits critical reviews opened my eyes in ESP (because I don't think I will read those articles if they were not given to me). Assignment 1 helped me to understand what needs analysis was because we need to go find out what those people really lack of and what are their actual demands, then, I did learn sth from assignment 2 because I never knew what annotated bibliography was until I did assignment 2 (I'm memang katak di bawah tempurung. Then, I learnt how to design materials in assignment 3.
ReplyDeleteFor quiz and exam, sorry, they are not the cup of my tea at all since I entered school (haha...)Well, maybe the results of the exam and quiz did tell the instructor the level of the students, but, they really put my grades down!! (I'm still very product-oriented even though I know the importance of process-based approach). Anyway, after all those writings and readings in this course, I really learnt a lot. Nevertheless, a lot of efforts and time are required......
I think, the first assignment is relevant to my needs because it's like a hands-on experience. Like someone going on a practical. So, i think it is relevant to ESP and ESP learners because it drives straight to the essence of ESP which is discovering learners' needs and try to figure out what to do to meet that needs. Besides that, I like critical review especially the Khoo and Kozol article. Maybe they seem not related to ESP but it helps us to develop as an educator as a whole because there are many interesting issues to reflect on.People should be more reflective nowadays and i think that would be helpful to develop critical thinkers.Honestly, I like Khoo article and tempted to write two pages critical review,(felt like so many things to express!) but I stick to the rule-one page only. Maybe because I'm not the vocal type and prefer to express myself through writing.For improvement? Mmm...i think the idea of giving midterm questions beforehand is good, but somehow what i heard like "no need to worry", "just understand, don't memorize" it maybe give the psychological impact to me and some-who knows some students still struggling with understanding and have no choice but to memorize some details? Or after hearing that, they feel more nervous and forget everything that they want to write? I think memorising is still the basic thing to do and at the same time must go along hand in hand with understanding too. (so tough...huhu...like a paradox, don't know how to explain, but it was what i feel and my opinion-sorry Dr. hehe..... :-))Last but not least, the midterm time should be longer...
ReplyDeleteDon't feel that you need to apologize to me for having mixed feelings about any of the assessments. Your individual opinions matter.
ReplyDeleteTeacehrs often aim for the best, but sometimes even the best thought strategy can backfire due to differing learner needs and shallow understanding of what is required. Large classes can be problematic in that sense.
But then again, in a learner centered classroom, learners need to come out and say what they want. Your opinion might not make an immediate impact, but the instructor would probably consider your suggestions in the next assessment. So, individuals can make a difference in the system. Believe in yourself.
Everything ... seems not making to my mind. i knw the needs of using ESP in enhance English Language yet i am a slow learner in memorizing facts and figures. I knw this is my weakness since my school days. so when ever the exam comes with facts i surely die even though the question is given before hand. Assignments helps a lot for me. And Dr. thanks for made us read the journal especially in assignment 2. That surely help me in understanding this course.
ReplyDeleteThe 1st assignment and 3rd assignment are relevant to me. Going out to the field to find out the real deal instead of just sitting in front of the computer, flipping through books it gives doing assignment a real meaning. Applying the theory that had been learn in class into a real context does improve my understanding of what ESP means, i guess that's what authentic learning was. The process might be long but i think it is worthwhile as i have the chance to use it (might not be able to apply it in school in the future).
ReplyDeleteAs for the mid-sem exam, i dont't think it really help in my learning process. With all the memorization and 'puking' it back during exam, it does not help at all. It might help for the grades but not the learning process. Personally, it restricted my learning and i can't think outside the box. I have to constantly remind myself to focus on certain topic and making sure the answers that i planned is intact in my brain.
For me, Assignment 1 has the greatest impact compared to others. In this assignment, we were required to explore the actual field, finding what the learners’ needs and tried to find the ways to bridge the gap. In this assignment as well, we were able to learn to find the most suitable ways to approach the learners and get the required information from them. For me, this is what the learning is all about as it involves lots of processes, before we came to the product, which is to design a suitable course for them. ---NOR AZMA MANAN 14749
ReplyDeleteTo me, the first assignment or the need analysis helps me a lot in understanding ESP. But the most meaningful task will be the journal critique. This task helps me to write a journal critique which is informational and critical. I think these two tasks benefit a lot to me in order to understand ESP. Thabk you.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I find it quite tedious to understand certain modules in the course. Besides, the tasks assigned are quite complicated and is time-consuming as most of them require much thinking out of the box. However, it is not the knowledge of facts that matters but the skills to apply those knowledge count as what the world really needs is people who have skills, and skills go beyond mere knowledge of facts (Blatner,2002). So, I still find the whole project relevant and useful even though I may find it difficult. This is because through the project, I get the chances to read more and hands-on experiences make me understand the course better.
ReplyDeleteI feel that all the three assignments helped me to expand my knowledge of ESP. Doing things hands-on has given me more insights and broaden my understanding of this course than mere lecturing. It is towards the end that I get to know ESP more. ESP is about learner needs, going to them, approach their needs (Assignment 1), research related areas to acknowledge the problem (Assignment 2) and come out with a remedy to improve their current language skills with specialized content to provide the relevant context they need to understand English (Assignment 3). All these processes are closely connected when comes to real teaching as well. Your teaching materials and process must be relevant and make sense to the learners for learning to take place. Regarding the mid-term assessment, it was really fresh to me with exam questions given beforehand; and it was a good experience too. I learn more when I look into those mind-boggling questions as they trigger my thinking, and from there I start to take the initiative to analyse, read on the issues to find out more. This is problem solving and adult learning where learners are the main source of information and are definitely responsible for their own learning.
ReplyDeleteAngeline Hii 13728
Before attending this course, ESP that i knew was the one that touch on the genre analysis yet I still do not what ESP is all about. However, after the assignment 1,2 &3, i knew that ESP is focusing on the learner needs. The extra credits is very important especially for the learner like me. Anyway, i still prefer assignment 2 as the reading materials were related to genre analysis, which i have more confident due to the familiarity with this topic.
ReplyDeleteI'd say all 3. I was hoping for more field work however, but then again I risk of being lynched for even suggesting that.
ReplyDelete1st assignment - it's really nothing new, sort of like refresher course for anybody who's all for analyzing the learners.
2nd assignment - a good academic practice as all I knew is how to write and present a FYP.
3rd assignment - I like this one since this one assignment really reveals what kind of a teacher can one be. Frankly I am really sick of writing lesson plans for learners who don't give a hoot about all what you've done for them (read: school students). Not that I am against free education for all, but I feel more appreciated knowing I am in demand because I can fulfill certain demands and I can deliver the best. I guess I could only attribute that "it's nothing personal, it's just business" motto.
Talking about suggestions, I think it'd be a great idea if in the future, students enrolled in this course can actually design and implement an ESP project in real time for real purposes. I think it is rather "not nice" to dismiss us (the learners) as not being up to that ability yet. Challenge is what the learners need, and how would you think best learning occur? Of course, basic things like "no free-riders allowed" and "you are 110% responsible for your learners' failure/success" should have been stressed from the very beginning (I meant TESL).
On another note, I beg that the next time UNIMAS commissions a TESL/ESL/Linguistics program, please let it be competition, demand-based. Somehow I think somebody is lying big time when it was said "higher education in Malaysia is merit-based".
Agree?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot, irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it."
ReplyDelete-- J. Bronowski, The Ascent of Man
Thank you class for the helpful suggestions.
I would probably take many of your suggestions into account when I design future courses. I must admit that I have learnt much from many of you and that itself makes the process worthwhile.
As for one of your passing comments, I would not say that I am dismissing anyone as not being "up to that ability yet" but sometimes when expectations fall short, the teacher is forced to confront the situation and reassses oneself. Maybe it came out wrongly.
Now, about programs being competition based, that might be a problem on its own. We have too many of that kind in the system and you will be encountering that as you travel. It is not healthy to pitch students against one another. I find it more relevant to encourage students to strive for their best based on their own ability. Pushing them into the deep end and hoping that they would swim out. I realized that some of you stopped halfway in the third assignment and that is what troubles me. Then again, assignments are Not everything.
Universities should help students realize the various levels of Maslow's needs through some of their courses. Undergraduates must achieve a state of self actualization and self esteem at some point. Then again, to each his own. I hope you have some good memories of this course.
Let me wish the best for the graduating class. For those of you who may be around, don't be a stranger. CLS is not a tower. So, future teachers ... go inspire!
the assessment that i think most relevant to my needs is assessment 3. this assessment really help me to understand the whole concept of ESP course and my future career as a teacher. beside that, this assessment also awake me to the important of learners' needs. My suggestions for further improvement for this course is the instructor may think of variety activities in tutorial sections which the activities can help us in our assessments.. i think all the assignments is relevant and can be used in my future life.
ReplyDelete