Date of Graduation

Winter 12-16-2016

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

College/School

School of Education

Department/Program

International and Multicultural Education (IME)

First Advisor

Dr. Brad Washington

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to decrease test anxiety within ESL community college students by providing their instructors with a guidebook for implementing alternatives in assessment. Chapter one dives right into the problem of ESL students experiencing test anxiety. At the community college level, there are added pressures from family needs, work, legal issues, adjusting to a new culture, and more. Teachers could offset this external anxiety by eliminating test anxiety in their classrooms.

Chapter two outlines much of the relevant literature dealing with the topics of test anxiety, foreign language anxiety, ESL testing practices, ESL at the community college level and alternatives in assessment. The literature review also analyzes the gaps in the literature that this project will strive to fill.

The third chapter includes the project itself, which consists of nine parts. Part one is a sample syllabus for teachers to use as a guide for when to implement alternatives in assessment throughout a semester. The next eight chapters describe the alternatives in assessment in detail and how to use each of them in the classroom. The appendix includes sample checklists, questionnaires and rubrics for teachers to use and adapt in congruence with the alternatives in assessment.

The fourth and final chapter consists of the conclusions and recommendations. This chapter speaks directly to teachers and explores possible ways to use the project in different teaching environments. The project concludes with future areas to be explored within the realm of alternatives in assessment.

Download

Share

COinS