A New Approach to Language Learning Assessment: Testing Weeks

At the English International School of Bratislava, the Foreign Languages Department has launched the innovative “Testing Weeks” (TW) initiative. This program is designed to enhance the language learning experience through continuous and detailed assessments that allow for thorough tracking of students’ progress in the short, medium, and long term. During these weeks, students in the MYP (IB) and American Academy (AA) programs are evaluated in the foreign languages they are studying, providing a clear overview of their level of competence.

Key Objectives

1. Assess Student Progress
   The exams are designed to measure students’ competence and progress in each language. These are multi-level tests that reflect students’ actual abilities, regardless of their prior experience. The “Testing Weeks” aim to ensure that every student can demonstrate their skills fairly and accurately, promoting more effective and personalized learning.
2. Analyze Teaching Practices
   In addition to evaluating students, these tests serve as a means to reflect on the pedagogical methodologies used by teachers. The results will allow for adjustments in teaching strategies to enhance the educational process.
3. Data Collection
   The Testing Weeks facilitate the collection of valuable data that will help establish educational goals aligned with the specific needs of EISB. This analysis will enable more effective long-term planning.

Key Features 

• Multi-level: The exams are designed to accommodate different levels of proficiency, providing a precise and fair assessment for each student, regardless of prior experience.
• Standardized: The tests follow a standardized format to ensure consistency and reliability across all assessments, independent of the student’s level or year group.
• Skill-Based: The exams are divided into four sections: writing, reading, listening, and speaking, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of language skills.

TW Time line

The assessments will take place three times throughout the academic year:

• TW1: Start of the School Year
  A diagnostic assessment to establish initial levels and set personalized learning goals.
• TW2: End of the First Semester/Start of the Second Semester
  An assessment of student progress, allowing for adjustments in teaching based on the results.
• TW3: End of the Second Semester
  A final evaluation to measure the development of competencies over the course of the year.

Scope of the Initiative

The Testing Weeks are aimed at students studying Spanish, German, Slovak, and EAL, from Year 7 to Year 11. This initiative ensures that students in these languages, across all secondary levels, are assessed equitably, providing a clear view of their progress and language skills throughout their academic journey at EISB.

Evaluation

Students will be assessed according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which classifies skills into levels ranging from A1 to C2. Each student will receive an individual grade for each skill (reading, listening, speaking, and writing). The “Testing Weeks” ensure that every student can demonstrate their skills fairly and accurately, promoting more effective and personalized learning. Importantly, these assessments will not determine the final evaluations for MYP and AA; instead, they will serve as a tool for tracking student progress.