Writing Diagnostic Instructions.doc

Instructions for ELI 73 and ELI 83 Diagnostics These tests are secure. Please make sure that students return all test sheets please count them after the test has concluded and that you keep – and do not return – their test essays. Present the diagnostics as just that: a way for you to diagnose students’ strengths in L2 English writing as well as areas for improvement. There is a possibility that certain students are misplaced and may be moved up a level or exempted from ELI writing based on their performance on the diagnostic, but it is probably a good idea not to mention this aspect of the test to students see below . Diagnostics should be given on the second class period that your class meets. For MW or TR classes, diagnostics should be given either on Wednesday for MW classes or Thursday for TR classes . For MWF classes, diagnostics should be given on both Wednesday and Friday. Test time is 70 minutes. For MW or TR classes, please distribute tests at the beginning of the second class period either Wednesday or Thursday and pick them up at the end. For MWF classes, please distribute tests on Wednesday, pick them up after 45 minutes, redistribute them on Friday, and have students work on/revise their papers from Wednesday for 25 minutes. Please ask students not to write on the diagnostic test sheets the ones with the readings on them . Students are to write their papers on the notebook paper you provide them enclosed in the packet . After you have collected diagnostic tests, please read them and briefly respond. Using the ELI Hallmarks, you can note strengths, areas that need improvement, etc. What teachers in the past have generally done is then briefly conference with students, outlining courses of action each student might take with his/her writing over the semester. You can also make this conference optional, and leave it up to the students if they want to talk about their diagnostic paper with you.  Please be sure to keep the students’ pa