Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
Students will receive ongoing feedback from the instructor throughout the course. Evaluation will be based on learning outcomes and course content. Mastery will be granted to students who achieve an average of at least 70% on the items listed below. Evaluation will include, but need not be limited to, the following tasks:
-A collection of tasks demonstrating effective presentation skills (such as body language, rapport with the audience, and pronunciation) and showing attention to instructor and peer feedback.
-A collection of tasks demonstrating effective discussion and conversation skills (such as use of clarification requests, use and response to small talk, or demonstration of turn-taking skills).
-At least 1 project of 2-3 minutes in length per student. Students will demonstrate understanding by describing and/or showing the differences and similarities among people, places or events related to culture and community (such as customs, holidays, family roles, lifestyles, past and present) and by communicating meaning effectively and intelligibly. Possible projects might be:
- A travel recommendation presentation
- A skit or role play
- A talk show interview
-At least 2 in-class speaking assessments to demonstrate mastery of skills, language functions, and pronunciation elements (such as a short in-class videotaped role play of students using small talk).
-A complete record of weekly experiential tasks such as completion of assignments before, during, and after the activities (setting goals, taking notes, or writing a reflective paragraph) and proof of attendance at all activities. Experiential activities may include observing and participating in college activities or community events.
-At least 1 self-assessment of learning strategies, progress, and study skills (to be discussed with the instructor).
Sample grade breakdown:
Presentation skills worth up to 10% (total)
Discussion and conversation skills worth up to 10% (total)
Project worth up to 25%
In-class speaking assessments worth up to 20% (total)
Experiential tasks worth 10% (total)
Participation worth up to 15%
Self-assessment worth up to 10%
Total: 100%