Hello everyone,

 

I'd like to clarify the direction I'm taking in researching tests for ESL
students.  The TABE CLASE-E "only" measures English reading and language
skills and from what I have found out so far, is able to measure up to 5.9
GLE.  Higher scores may be out of the test's measurable range.  On the other
hand, TerraNova CTBS tests all subject areas of the G.E.D. test, is
available for 1st through 12th grade students, and is within measureable
range up to 12.9+ GLE.

 

In addition to testing my student's English language/reading skills, I also
want to get a sense of their background knowledge, which commonly derives
from schooling in their L1 (in the sense of Cumming's common underlying
proficiency).  My students' formal educational background is, for me at
least, an extremely important part of the information I collect, because it
appears to have considerable predictive value in terms of how quickly they
will learn, and which concepts are already familiar to them in their L1.
Typically, I find that teaching unknown concepts in the L2 is more
challenging than doing so in the L1, all the more so because of language
barriers.

 

I hope this helps, and I thank you for any and all feedback!

 

Michael

 

 

 

From: Michael A. Gyori [mailto:mgyori at mauilanguage.com] 
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 8:59 AM
To: 'The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List'; The Assessment
Discussion List (assessment at nifl.gov)
Subject: RE: [EnglishLanguage 4210] Re: CTB McGraw-Hill's Terra Nova

 

Hi Sandra,

 

Thanks for your e-mail!

 

The TABE ESL test is the TABE CLAS-E.  A description of it can be found at
http://www.ctb.com/products/product_summary.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847
4395292718
<http://www.ctb.com/products/product_summary.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=14084
74395292718&bmUID=1241722470142> &bmUID=1241722470142.

 

I am in touch with CTB McGraw-Hill about this test.  My question in this
phase of my own research is specifically about the Terra Nova 2nd and 3rd
Ed.

 

Also, is anybody familiar with the GAIN (see
http://www.wonderlic.com/education-solutions/adult-basic-education.aspx)?
If so, I'd also greatly appreciate your observations / comments.

 

Thank you so much!

 

Michael

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Grant, Sandra
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 8:36 AM
To: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List; The Assessment
Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4210] Re: CTB McGraw-Hill's Terra Nova

 

Michael-I don't know a whole lot about it but TABE is or has come out with
an ESL test. I know they were testing it in the last couple of years, but I
haven't heard the results. Does anyone know about this test? 

Sandra Grant

Utah State Office of Education

 

From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Michael A. Gyori
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:01 PM
To: 'The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List'; The Assessment
Discussion List
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 4209] CTB McGraw-Hill's Terra Nova

 

Greetings to all,

 

Has anyone used CTB McGraw-Hill's Terra Nova (2nd and 3rd Editions) with
adult ESL learners, and if so, what, if any, observations might you have to
share?  I know the test is designed for Grades 1-12 learners.  The CBO I
used to work at administered the first edition of this test to prospective
GED students, some of whom were adults.  The CBO currently uses TABE.

 

Thank you for any insights you may have!

 

 

Michael

 

 

world10

 

Michael A. Gyori, M.A. TESOL

Owner-Teacher

Maui International Language School

Phone 808.205.2101 (U.S.A.)

Fax 808.891.2237 (U.S.A.)

E-mail mgyori at mauilanguage.com

Website www.mauilanguage.com

 

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