The place of language testing and assessment in the professional preparation of foreign language teachers in China

AbstractThis article considers the assessment challenges and prospects faced by foreign language teachers in Ukrainian universities in the context of the country's joining the Bologna Process. A major problem relates to adapting higher education to a common framework designed to facilitate comprehension and comparison of the content and outcomes of degree programmes and devising methods of quality assurance in foreign language teaching. The implementation of reforms in the area includes the improvement of assessment standards, the creation of new assessment instruments, and ensuring that teachers' professional repertoire includes skills in accurately measuring students' performance. Given the increased role of assessment in Ukrainian language education and the challenges this new demand poses to teachers, we investigated university foreign language teachers' readiness to carry out complex and multifaceted functions related to formative and summative assessment. Specifically, we replicated the European Survey of Language Testing and Assessment Needs and carried out a survey of our own design to identify specific strengths and weaknesses in the assessments performed by university foreign language teachers. The surveys yielded results that are broadly comparable with the European data, but with minor variations that mostly have to do with newly introduced forms of assessment. Our study shows that Ukrainian university foreign language teachers are quite test-wise and prepared to do a good job in language testing and assessment. The insights drawn from the data can contribute to developing syllabi for pre- and in-service teacher training in the area.

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Psychological Features of the Tolerance of Future Specialists in Socionomic Professions

10.18662/lumproc/atee2020/04 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hanna Barabashchuk ◽

Mariana Dushkevych ◽

Natalia Hutsuliak

Keyword(s):

Foreign Language ◽

Social Situation ◽

Psychology Students ◽

Professional Preparation ◽

Language Teachers ◽

Tolerance Index ◽

Foreign Language Teachers ◽

Self Development ◽

The Individual ◽

Psychological Features

It is a set on the basis of theoretical researchers, that the modern specialist of the sphere of «Man-Man», except the certain volume of professional abilities and knowledge, must own personality-mature qualities: to show readiness for self-development and self-perfection; make a decision on their own; have their own system of values and be able to correlate their own vital persuasions with the senses and stereotypes of society. For this reason, development of their tolerance as a constituent of professionalism is important in the professional preparation of specialists of socio-economic professions. Tolerance is not just a tolerance for others' thoughts, beliefs and behaviour, it is a purposeful effort on the part of the individual to create an information space that promotes harmony, interpersonal cooperation, emotional tact and respect. The empirical study involved 40 second-year students, including psychology students and foreign language teachers. The psychodiagnostic complex of methods presented in the article made it possible to obtain reliable research results. A comparative analysis of respondents' indicators showed that «tolerance» as a personal quality is significant for both groups. It is stated that psychology students are more tolerant of representatives of different social strata, while foreign language students are tolerant of ethnic minorities. The study found that future psychologists seeking to assert their beliefs and considerations, if the situation becomes conflictual, can be harsh. Future teachers are more critical of themselves and their opinions, showing tact and understanding to manifest «paradoxical» actions, even if they do not agree with them. The overall tolerance index of the two groups under study indicates that their behaviour and attitudes towards the world, people and events will depend on the particular social situation they are currently in.

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