The Talk Show role playing test came together on the day.
I was so impressed by the performances of the two groups. One group emphasized their originality in the props and staging, offering a backdrop of slides. The other group demonstrated insight into the characters though their detailed scripts.
At the end of their performances, I asked my ELLs to complete a Venn Diagram comparing the Talk Show Test and a Written Test.
They enjoyed “being creative, connecting with students, generating ideas, going into detail, giving their opinion, teaching how to explain their point of view not only to the teacher but to everybody, being able to fix something if it’s not good and having fun.”
The written test, on the other hand, means you are “by yourself, more nervous, bored, stressed, not showing everything you know.”
The ELLs concluded that there should be a balance between ‘action’ and written tests.
But they all opted for a written test as their final exam.
The Talk Show test required so much more than demonstrating a deep understanding of the novel. It involved learning how to assign roles, work collaboratively and listen. Like working in the real world.
However, for us teachers it is all about balance, isn’t it?
I look forward to more ‘live’ assessments.
English for success. 