Tokyo JALT:

A Seminar: Assessment without Evaluation: A Way Out of the Grammar-Feedback Dilemma

Date: Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Speaker: Paul Kei Matsuda

Description:
Grammar feedback has long been considered a sine qua non of second language writing instruction, but John Truscott's (1996) controversial article has ignited what has become a long-standing debate over the efficacy of grammar feedback. While there is some evidence to suggest that grammar feedback can contribute to long-term language development, it is still not possible for teachers to predict what kind of feedback is going to lead to language development. Yet, many teachers continue to evaluate student writing based on language development. In doing so, teachers end up penalizing students for what they cannot teach reliably. In this presentation, the presenter, an experienced writing teacher, researcher and teacher educator, will emphasize the importance of aligning teaching and assessment. Specifically, he will propose assessment without evaluation -- that is, focus on formative rather than summative feedback -- as a way out of the grammar-feedback dilemma. The session will likely end with a lively discussion of how this proposed solution might work in practice.

RSVP: Space is limited for participation in this seminar. If you are interested in attending, please contact Megumi Kawate-Mierzejewska (Program Chair).

Organization: Tokyo Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Tokyo JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1,000 yen

Venue: Sophia University Yotsuya Campus Bldg. No. 10 Room301

Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Contact Tokyo JALT

Website: sites.google.com/view/tokyojalt