COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course on Assessing English Writing Skills. This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively assess the writing abilities of English language learners. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of writing assessment principles, techniques, and best practices, ensuring that you can support your students' writing development effectively.
We begin with an introduction to assessing English writing skills, emphasising the importance of writing assessment in English education. This section provides an overview of key assessment principles, setting the foundation for effective writing evaluation.
Understanding writing proficiency levels is crucial for accurate assessment. You will explore descriptors of writing proficiency, common frameworks such as the CEFR, and how to align proficiency levels with curriculum standards to ensure consistency and clarity in assessment.
Types of writing assessments vary in purpose and application. This section covers formative vs. summative assessments, diagnostic assessments, and standardised tests, providing a comprehensive understanding of the different assessment methods available.
Designing effective writing tasks involves creating assignments that accurately reflect learning outcomes. You will learn about the characteristics of good writing tasks, how to align them with learning outcomes, and the creation of rubrics and scoring guides to ensure objective evaluation.
Rubric development and use are essential for consistent assessment. This section explores different types of rubrics (analytic vs. holistic), how to create a rubric for writing assessment, and training teachers to use rubrics consistently to maintain assessment reliability.
Providing constructive feedback is a critical component of writing assessment. You will learn the principles of effective feedback, techniques for written feedback, and the use of conferences to provide oral feedback, ensuring that students receive comprehensive and actionable guidance.
Assessing different types of writing requires tailored approaches. This section covers the assessment of academic writing (essays, reports), creative writing (stories, poems), and functional writing (emails, letters), ensuring that you can evaluate various writing genres effectively.
Assessing grammar and mechanics is integral to writing evaluation. Learn how to identify common errors, create grammar and mechanics checklists, and integrate grammar assessment with writing tasks to provide a holistic evaluation of student writing.
Assessing content and organisation focuses on evaluating the coherence and cohesion of writing. You will explore how to assess argumentation and evidence, ensuring logical flow and structure, and supporting students in developing well-organised written work.
Assessing vocabulary and style involves evaluating lexical range and accuracy. This section covers assessing tone and formality, encouraging stylistic variety, and supporting students in developing a rich and varied vocabulary.
Ethical considerations in writing assessment are paramount. This section addresses ensuring fairness and equity, maintaining confidentiality, and addressing plagiarism, ensuring that your assessment practices uphold the highest ethical standards.
Addressing diverse learner needs is essential for inclusive assessment. You will learn about differentiating writing assessments, assessing writing for students with special needs, and implementing culturally responsive assessment practices to support all learners.
Developing writing portfolios provides a comprehensive view of student progress. This section covers the purpose and benefits of writing portfolios, guidelines for portfolio creation, and how to assess and reflect on portfolios to support student development.
Peer and self-assessment in writing empower students to take ownership of their learning. You will explore training students for peer assessment, self-assessment techniques, and how to incorporate peer and self-assessment into the curriculum to enhance student engagement.
Integrating writing assessment with overall language skills ensures holistic language development. This section covers connecting writing assessment to reading skills, incorporating listening and speaking in writing tasks, and promoting holistic language development through writing.
By the end of this course, you will be well-prepared to assess English writing skills effectively, supporting your students' development and ensuring that your assessment practices are comprehensive, fair, and aligned with educational standards.
Each section will be complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Assessing English Writing Skills
- Importance of Writing Assessment in English Education
- Overview of Key Assessment Principles
2. Understanding Writing Proficiency Levels
- Descriptors of Writing Proficiency
- Common Frameworks
- Aligning Proficiency Levels with Curriculum Standards
3. Types of Writing Assessments
- Formative vs. Summative Assessments
- Diagnostic Assessments
- Standardised Tests
4. Designing Effective Writing Tasks
- Characteristics of Good Writing Tasks
- Aligning Tasks with Learning Outcomes
- Creating Rubrics and Scoring Guides
5. Rubric Development and Use
- Types of Rubrics
- Creating a Rubric for Writing Assessment
- Training Teachers to Use Rubrics Consistently
6. Providing Constructive Feedback
- Principles of Effective Feedback
- Techniques for Written Feedback
- Using Conferences to Provide Oral Feedback
7. Assessing Different Types of Writing
- Academic Writing
- Creative Writing
- Functional Writing
8. Assessing Grammar and Mechanics
- Identifying Common Errors
- Creating Grammar and Mechanics Checklists
- Integrating Grammar Assessment with Writing Tasks
9. Assessing Content and Organisation
- Evaluating Coherence and Cohesion
- Assessing Argumentation and Evidence
- Ensuring Logical Flow and Structure
10. Assessing Vocabulary and Style
- Evaluating Lexical Range and Accuracy
- Assessing Tone and Formality
- Encouraging Stylistic Variety
11. Ethical Considerations in Writing Assessment
- Ensuring Fairness and Equity
- Maintaining Confidentiality
- Addressing Plagiarism
12. Addressing Diverse Learner Needs
- Differentiating Writing Assessments
- Assessing Writing for Students with Special Needs
- Culturally Responsive Assessment Practices
13. Developing Writing Portfolios
- Purpose and Benefits of Writing Portfolios
- Guidelines for Portfolio Creation
- Assessing and Reflecting on Portfolios
14. Peer and Self-Assessment in Writing
- Training Students for Peer Assessment
- Self-Assessment Techniques
- Incorporating Peer and Self-Assessment into the Curriculum
15. Integrating Writing Assessment with Overall Language Skills
- Connecting Writing Assessment to Reading Skills
- Incorporating Listening and Speaking in Writing Tasks
- Holistic Language Development through Writing
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.