It’s common knowledge that no two people are alike. This means we all have different likes, dislikes, tastes, abilities, biases, prejudices, and so on and so forth. If all this holds a grain of salt, then how can we expect all our students to sit the same language examination? They don’t all have the same abilities, hence, they can’t all perform at the same level since they don’t have the same skills. One is better in listening comprehension, while another is a better writer. Another can handle grammar exercises, but can’t produce a syntactically correct sentence. Yet another can’t communicate verbally but understands everything and anything he reads. What I’m trying to say is that each student is a Pandora’s Box of mixed abilities which we, as teachers, have to open and sort out. If you think this is yet another daunting task to add on to the so many others you have, you are absolutely right. It’s up to us teachers to figure out which examination each student can successfully sit for.
But, you’ll say, there are oh, so many language examinations out there. How do I teach for all of them? You don’t have to. You are already working with a couple of examinations you know well and have good results in. Stick to these, and add a couple more to your test “repertoire”. This is where the match making begins. There’s a test, or a mate out there, for everyone. When you look for a mate, the word trust is foremost in your mind. You can’t have any kind of relationship without trust. You must be convinced that what you see is what you get. It can’t be here today, gone tomorrow. It has to have a valid value on the market and be recognized.
Another important feature to your process of selection is appeal. You have to like what you see. Layout and presentation are important factors to take into consideration. Since the role of the teacher is “match maker”, it is up to us to decide on the most suitable match for each student.
Next comes security. Everyone needs to feel secure in the choice he has made. No one wants to have the fear that what he has acquired may be declared invalid or invoked one day. Guarantees must be given and must apply.
For any relationship to be strong, it must be steadfast. Fluctuations in levels of difficulty (character) or grading (expectations) must be minimal and not affect overall performance. We expect things to flow in a certain direction and this pace and direction must be steady. We want to be sure of where we are headed when we make our commitment. We don’t want to mislead anyone to expect one thing, and find something else in his path.
And, last but not least, we need to feel respect. Everyone involved must function at a level where he feels that what he is doing has an acceptable standard, and can feel that he’s worked and will be rewarded for his pains. We must respect ourselves for the choices we have made, so they must have a certain standard. What comes too easily may not have the required respect on the market.
The role of the teacher is to be aware of what’s out there and pair students with examinations. It really isn’t complicated. If you want complicated, then try finding the perfect mate!
By Sylvia Kar
Teacher, Author, Teacher Trainer
