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Unit 10 is about the various methods and purposes of assessing the learner's proficiency level. There are three main ways to assess: tutorials, evaluation, tests (writing, speaking, listening).
Tutorials are mini-times with a small group of students and give both the teacher and student an idea of how well the student is progressing, through the intensified interaction (compared to when teaching the whole class). Tutorials could be a slot towards the end of a class at the end of every week, for example - where teachers see students (or small groups of students) in turns.
Evaluation could also be carried out using a game or an interactive time - any activity - that will show up what the student's strengths are and the areas where more attention is needed to build confidence and fluency.
Tests
There are numerous kinds of tests - these can be divided into two categories: internal and external.
External tests (or exams) are conducted by specific institutions for specific purposes, e.g. IELTS is an exam that is required for University entrance in the English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Cambridge Assessment has formulated many tests, e.g., KET (Key English Test) and the ESOL Skills for Life.
Internal tests
These are tests conducted within the language institute itself.
Placement Test: When a student first approaches the language centre - the placement test is given to assess the student's level of proficiency in order to offer them the most suitable course. These tests are progessive - i.e., questions at the beginning are very simple and the questions get more and more difficult as the test proceeds. E.g., a question on present simple will be found at the beginning but a question on second conditionals will be found towards the end of the test.
Diagnostic Test: Can be used by a teacher to assess her students' proficiency level in various aspects - speaking, reading, listening, writing - in order to prepare for the future components of lessons. These diagnostic tests also help the student see her own progress.
Progress Tests: Are given periodically to help students recall and practise using material already covered on the course. These tests help trace the path of progress.
Test of Achievement: These are tests given at the end of a course, as evidence of what the student has accomplished by the end.
Along with Unit 1's Chart of Levels of Proficiency [(Elementary) A1,A2, (Intermediate) B1, B2, (Advanced) C1, C2] Unit 10 is integral to understanding the assessment of the student's proficiency level.
