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?