Welcome to this presentation to explain the differences
between face to face and online assessment.
My name is Lourdes Pomposo and I’m the coordinator
of English Language in CUID, our language center.
I’m going to talk about the following contents:
specific skills to be assessed in B1 level,
types of interaction,
the difference between face to face assessment and on line exam,
contents of b1 oral exam and how to face B1 oral exam.
If we have a look at the European Framework
we will find these five characteristics of B1 level:
range, accuracy, fluency, interaction and coherence.
And this is the rubric that we use to assess
and evaluate the students or candidates
that want to pass this level.
You can read the descriptions here, but if you pay attention
I have put in bold the main characteristics of these descriptors.
For example in range, you have to use sufficient vocabulary
to show your examiner or your teacher
that you have enough vocabulary to communicate.
You have to know the grammar of B1 level,
expressions and correct grammar.
You should use the language with fluency.
That’s why I put in bold “keep going” comprehensibly even though pausing
for grammatical and lexical planning but you can communicate with fluency.
The interaction is very important for European Framework.
It is not only individual production,
you have to know how to communicate with another person
and to keep the conversation going:
to start, maintain and end a conversation.
Coherence:
apart from vocabulary and grammar you should know connectors
to link in your conversation the words and your sentences.
I have here a description of face to face exams
and online exams but I have not described them
as negative and positive characteristics
because this is up to you.
You have to decide if they are positive and negative according
to your personality.
For example, in the face to face exam
you should use your body language, eye contact.
There are no technologies.
But probably you have a negative aspect
that is the pressure of immediate answer because you have
to do the exam with another person or with another teacher.
But on the other hand you have free speech
so you can talk longer and you have not the limit of time
and you are not watching a clock telling you the time you have left.
In the online exam, of course,
you have to use internet and it is more a use of technologies,
so you should Know something about technologies
and how to use web conference a webcam etc.
Probably its good for introvert or shy candidates
because it’s more comfortable for the people that are shy
and they don’t want to face another examiner or another teacher
but you have another disadvantage that is time pressure.
You know that you have some minutes to record your exam
but at the same time you have less influence
of the rater or the examiner or the teacher that is facing you.
So this is up to you.
You may think that this is a positive or negative thing.
What are the contents of our oral exam at CUID
our language center of UNED?
You have both ways of examining.
You have an individual part and an interaction part.
In the individual part you have 5 minutes approximately
and it is a monologue.
You are given some topics, you have time to think
and you have to talk about that topic to your teacher or your examiner
and the production of your exam is recorded.
In the interaction you have five minutes too
but in this case you have a conversation between a candidate
and the teacher or between two candidates
and the production is recorded at the same time.
So in both of them,
face to face and online exam you are recorded.
This is positive for the teacher and positive for you.
There is no difference between one exam or the other.
And just to finish we are aware, as teachers that we are,
that it’s very difficult to face an oral exam especially
when you have no confidence
or self confidence that your English is good.
So I’m going to give you some advice to pass the exam or to face it.
We are aware that you are nervous and you can avoid it but don’t panic,
just relax before the exam and think that you can do it.
Another advice is that you can practice with your teacher
or even with friends if the teacher is not available before the exam.
Practice with them about different topics that you think
that you may be asked in the exam.
I think that this may be very good for you.
When you face the exam, online or face to face,
you have to show your knowledge and your confidence.
Of course when you have a B1 level, it’s not a proficiency level exam
but you have to show that you are able to speak English
and communicate with the teacher and with the other candidate.
If you have mistakes when you are talking with the examiner
or with another one don’t block your mind,
go on speaking and be aware of your own mistakes.
So, when you make a mistake you can be aware of it
and repeat it but in the good way.
And just to finish, you should use your body language to communicate,
just as I’m doing now that I’m moving my hands
and I am communicating with you.
Because if you are stressed
and you are stiff it’s more difficult to communicate.
So, use your body, use your face,
use your gestures and even use your smile.
Good luck.