2º Meeting

We've started this meeting by highlighting the key words in a text about assessment principles in CLIL, written by Coyle, Hood and Marsh (2010).


I've underlined the following concepts:

• Clear learning objectives are needed before an assessment focus can be chosen. Learning objectives/ outcomes should use a format which acknowledges the different areas of learning in the classroom (such as the 4Cs approach) –this usually include content/skills first, then language in some form. In a CLIL classroom there are likely to be more possible angles of assessment at any one point because of the integrative nature of content and language. Therefore, even more than in first-language lessons, we cannot always assess everything. 

 

• We should use a mixture of formal and informal assessment which is both task-based and assignment-based, and a mix of specific test times and classwork sampling. 

• We should familiarize the learners with the assessment measures and success criteria, expressed in a student-friendly format. 

• Content knowledge should be assessed using the simplest form of language which is appropriate for that purpose.

• Language should be assessed for a real purpose in a real context –sometimes this will be for form/accuracy, sometimes for communicative competence and/or fluency. 

• If the assessment is orally based, “wait time” is crucial, as in CLIL contexts we should be asking students to think, and thinking takes time and the expression of that thinking takes longer. 

• Scaffolding is not “cheating” –we need to assess what students can do with support before we assess what they can do without it. 

• Students need to be able to take some responsibility for their own assessment, both in terms of self- and peer-assessment. This will enhance their longer-term learning potential.

We also analysed projects done by teachers teaching in the Province of Buenos Aires. After that... we had to plan our own unit!!!! The first thing we had to take into account was to do a mind map based on the 4 Cs: CONTENT- COMMUNICATION- CULTURE-COGNITION. This was our first production!! (Wow!)