How to Test Speaking Skills in Japan

89

Chapter 7: Write & Speak a Conversation

is to be able to perform it without looking at the English script, so they will gradually need to wean themselves off of looking at it The Japanese script is there to provide the support they need to get through the subsequent assessment stage Stage 3: Each pair performs their conversation Finally, in Stage 3, you collect all of the English scripts and get ev eryone going on another language practice task This will keep ev eryone busy and productive while you go about the room and assess each pair, one at a time If you are set up for it, you can do the marking right on the spot Alternatively, you could simply record the conversations and do the marking later

Step 3: Move around the room and assess each pair, one by one.

Through this 3-stage sequence, you’ll find students working hard together to meet the challenge Since they know they’ll be im minently evaluated, concentration and effort increase as they work on making use of language you’ve taught them The writing stage slows things down and encourages collaboration You’ll notice stu dents going through their textbooks with great interest Creating the Japanese version is also a pedagogically sound task as it supports