Page 14 - ELG2408 August Issue 491

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The temptation to ‘teach to the test’
The temptation to ‘teach to the test’

Caroline Browne of Password discusses the unintended consequences

of test preparation material.

recent EL Gazette article about
research into the tendency of
learners to attend crammer courses
A aimed at getting the grade they
need on a language proficiency test, rather
than actually improving their language
skills, prompted me to reflect on the disjoint
between the intended purpose of such tests
and the students’ view of them.
When it comes to English language testing
for higher education, clearly institutions are
looking for proof that incoming international
students will be able to understand and use
English as the medium of study. One would
assume that students would also feel the
same way—after all, sitting in lectures and
seminars without being able to understand
and take part in the learning experience
would seem, at the very least, a real waste of
a lot of money.
However, in some parts of the world, this
assumption would seem to be incorrect.
Back in the early days of running Brunel’s
International Office, I attended an education
exhibition in Taipei. In explaining to
prospective students why the University
needed to assess English language levels
I heard over and over again how this should
be each student’s own choice and that they
could ‘learn as they go along’ once they arrive
on campus.
As my time at Brunel continued, I came
to understand that this was a position held
by many prospective students from very of our first test, we launched Password and preparing predicted answers does
diverse cultural backgrounds. Clearly, this Knowledge, which was designed for service to no one, least of all the students
is something preparation course providers admission to long pre-sessional and pathway who subsequently struggle to complete
have to take into account despite, no programmes. their courses when arriving at university.
doubt, wanting to provide language tuition Keenly aware of the unintended negative So, whilst we now offer a 10-hour online
which will qualitatively improve students’ influence an assessment can have on the preparation course, as well as a full practice
proficiency in English. teaching and learning that takes place in test, this is to introduce students to the
Part of the reason for setting up a language preparation for it, we wanted to design a exam format and ensure they know how to
testing company was frustration with ‘walk-up-and-take’ test with no need for, or manage their time. Our intention, as always,
the consequences of students perceiving advantage to, ‘teaching to the test’. is to help alleviate pre-exam nerves so that
the language requirement as merely a Sample questions and a practice test were test takers can perform at their optimum
hurdle to jump. This disconnect between provided so that candidates could familiarise on the day.
students’ English language test scores and themselves with the test structure and question Our advice to students: focus on learning
their actual English language levels is one format, but no other material was published, the language you will need for your field of
which continues to cause many institutions nor did we endorse any course providers. studies and to enjoy all that life at university
considerable pain, and whilst they often Several years later, we took the same approach has to offer; not on passing a particular
respond positively, spending both time and when launching Password Skills; though as a language exam. Work with teachers who
money running in-sessional support classes, more complex assessment, we did offer more want to improve your all-round proficiency
this language learning should really occur information about its structure. in English, with a full understanding of the
before enrolling. We have sustained this position, even demands of academic study.
What’s more, for some students the in the face of huge demand from students And remember, if your English has
pressure of course work and exams means for ‘exam training materials’ following the genuinely reached a level appropriate for
that fitting in English classes—which is development and successful roll out of the undergraduate or postgraduate study, you will
often impossible to make compulsory for secure at-home version of the Password Skills do well in whichever test you take!
all sorts of reasons—is extremely difficult. test: Password Skills Plus. We do of course
The Taiwanese students were wrong. understand the stress students face when Caroline Browne, Founder and CEO of
In 2008, having spent a year setting up tackling a high-stakes exam of this nature. Password English Language Testing and
Password English Language Testing and That said, we continue to believe that former Director of Brunel International.
working with CRELLA on the development test preparation focused on accessing
14 August 2024