SLAT6827 Second Language Literacy Semester 2, 2003

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SLAT6827 Second Language Literacy Semester 2,
2003

• Assessing Writing
• Week 11

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Major types of testing

• Summative assessment
• Formative assessment
• Communicative testing

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Components of writing

• Language use
• Mechanical skills
• Content
• Style
• Judgement (Rhetorical)

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Grading the composition

• Local versus global errors

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Grammar correction

• Grammar correction does not work.
• Empirical reasons why it doesnt work
• Theoretical reasons why it doesnt work
• Grammar correction may be harmful.

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• The value of grammar correction is taken for
  granted.
• Can grammar correction contribute to the
  development of grammatical accuracy?
• Grammar correction the correction of grammatical
  errors for the purpose of improving grammatical
  accuracy.

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Evidence against grammar correction

• Evidence shows that grammar correction in the L1
  has no effect
• Does it make a difference in the L2?
• Apparently not.

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The effectiveness of grammar correction.

• Robb, Ross, Shortreed (1986)
• 1) Explicit correction errors and correct forms
  identified
• 2) Correction code Type and location of error
  indentified
• 3) Highlight errors No explanation
• 4) Errors tallied Number of errors per line
  tallied but not explained.

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• No differences in writing ability across the four
  conditions in Ross et al.

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Grammar correction can have negative effect

• Negative impact on fluency (Semke, 1984)
• Discourages learners (Hillocks, 1986)
• Takes time (Cohen, 1987)

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Last slide SLAT6827 week 11