Online tests and outcomes assessments in Russian (and Slavic)

[Janey Haynes]

Here in Davidson County, Tennessee, we have Metro-mandated rnd of course examsfor all students in levels 1 and 2 of foreign languages.  These are called District assessments and are given in the spring.  This year, for instance, the writing assessment is March 12; the oral assessment is April 7-8, then the bulk of the multiple-choice test (reading and vocabulary/grammar)the second week in May.  The assessments were put together in committee based on local standards(which are based on ACTFL standards) and cover the basics in both years.  In first year, example, the "me" year, the written assessment is a letter to a penpal in which specific points are covered.  The vocabulary/grammar section is done as CLOZE reading selections, and the reading is done as comprehension, where three Russian passages are read then true-false questions answered (in English).  The listening section is usually divided in two.  In one part the teacher reads statements while the students look over a page con
taining 10-12 rows of pictures, then chooses the picture the statement (s)he heard best identifies.  In the second part the teacher gives descriptions of common things and students write in English what is being described.  (In second year, it's in R ussian.)  The oral assessment is, to me, the most fun, nervewracking, and exciting.  It's done with pairs of students, takes about 2 minutes for each pair to perform according to their topic (They create a dialog on the spot bases on a topic given. [The topics are from units taught in the course of the year--my family, my leisure activities, my trip to..., going shopping, dining out...etc.] )So you see, the assessment covers all four aspects of learning--reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  
On the subject of portfolios...while all my students are supposed to keep up with their classroom notebooks (ahem, note the use of 'supposed to', my honors students are also required to keep a fifth section in their notebooks, entitled "portfolio" where they keep rough drafts and completed copies of their writings, nine of their 'best' assignments in the course of a grading period (We are on 9 weeks), and a journal entry each week. The journal is for second year, though after Christmas some of my first year make a stab at it as well.

I'd love to know what the rest of the Russian-learning world does!

Btw, does anyone know of any good Russian practice materials?  I also teach German, and I can find a wealth of workbooks (e.g., German Verb Drills, German Pronouns and Prepositions, Schaum's Outline of German Vocabulary...)but practically zilch in Russian!

Janey Haynes, German/Russian Teacher
McGavock High School
Nashville, TN
-------------- Original message from Svetlana Grenier <greniers at GEORGETOWN.EDU>: -------------- 


> Dear Colleagues, 
> 
> Some departments at my institution (Georgetown) have switched to online 
> placement tests in their (commonly taught) languages. I was wondering 
> if any of your schools have used such tests for Russia and if so, what 
> your experience with them has been. 
> And, of course, "outcomes assessment" is all the rage these days. Do 
> you use any kind of exit exams or portfolios in your Russian programs? 
> Many thanks in advance! 
> 
> Svetlana 
> -- 
> 
> Svetlana S. Grenier 
> 
> Associate Professor 
> Department of Slavic Languages 
> Box 571050 
> Georgetown University 
> Washington, DC 20057-1050 
> 202-687-6108 
> greniers at georgetown.edu 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription 
> options, and more. Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at: 
> http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/ 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------