Curtin International College Diagnostic Exercise CRICOS Provider Code

Curtin International College Diagnostic Exercise CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G Curtin International College CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G A Member of Navitas

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Background The decision to implement a diagnostic exercise was based on • the need to identify students at risk (as part of our early intervention policy) • the need for an additional tool to determine English levels which may not be reflected in measurements of English proficiency • A recognition that there is a reluctance on the part of students to self-select English support CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas The diagnostic exercise provides a means of: • Identifying students who require extra support with their language skills • Alerting students to that fact they need extra support • Gaining more information about the English entry pathways and assisting benchmarking of the various pathways • Gaining more information about the background of students who require support i. e. nationality, educational background, English level. CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Description of Diagnostic Exercise CURTIN INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE Diagnostic Exercise (Certificate IV) Trimester 2 2008 NAME_____________ CIC ID NUMBER _____ NATIONALITY: _________ FIRST LANGUAGE: ________ ARE YOU AN OVERSEAS STUDENT LOCAL STUDENT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN AUSTRALIA? ________ HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION ACHIEVED: ____________ DESCRIBE ANY ENGLISH COURSES OR TESTS YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN (e. g. ELICOS; TOEFL; IELTS; IBT test, etc) and the GRADE/LEVEL ACHIEVED. E. g. IELTS 5 or ELICOS Upper Intermediate Pass ________________________________ WHICH COURSE ARE YOU COMPLETING? ________________________________ LIST THE UNITS YOU ARE TAKING THIS SEMESTER ________________________________ TASK: Write an essay of approximately 300 words on the following topic: What do you consider to be the main objectives of the government of a country to ensure the wellbeing of all its citizens? CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Delivery of Exercise • All NEW students complete in week 1 of core classes • Maximum 30 minutes duration • Lecturers provided with instructions and advice for students to ensure consistency of delivery and to alleviate anxiety CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Assessment of exercise • Marked by qualified ESL staff • Marking criteria provided • Scripts assessed as OK or REQUIRES SUPPORT • Students identified are advised to enrol in Support program CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Tracking of Identified Students • Notes made in MAZE (Information Management System) • Students flagged on ENGTRAX – category created of all students identified and students who take up support program are given a green flag. • Attendance monitored on a regular basis CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Reporting • Report prepared at end of each trimester • Compares performance of students identified who completed support program and those who did not • Results used to inform academic department and to promote program at Orientation CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas A Comparison Of Performance Of Students Who Did EDP And Students Who Were Advised And Did Not Do EDP Semester 1 2008 CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Problems posed by this exercise • Does not assess all language areas • Relies on cooperation of lecturing staff to administer exercise (some lecturers forget!) • Not all students are present when exercise conducted • Marking is onerous and may not be consistent CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Towards an On-line Diagnostic Exercise • To be conducted as part of orientation program • Multiple Choice Questions - assesses listening and reading comprehension and grammar • Exercise is on a timer - maximum of 60 mins to complete • Uses Flash – students cannot backtrack to change answers CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Towards an On-line Diagnostic Exercise • Score emailed to student and College within several hours • Students who score below a prescribed level (35) will be automatically enrolled • No compulsion to attend but attendance monitored • Information used to counsel students with poor progress CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas http: //www. cic. wa. edu. au/eoutlook/school/ placement/ieltscurtin. html CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas English Development Program • Free of charge • 7 week program beginning week 2 of trimester • 3 hour workshop offered 6 times per week • Focus on grammar, sentence structure, paragraphs, essays, reports • Individual assistance with assignments provided • Program may be a condition of enrolment, students self-select or college enrols them as a result of diagnostic exercise CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Key Challenges • Course needs to be perceived as a necessary adjunct to their studies • Content needs to reflect disciplinespecific skills • Attendance – keeping them there once they have enrolled CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G

Curtin International College A Member of Navitas Ways we are trying to address challenges: • Introduced a PASS/FAIL requirement for students with a condition – based on assessment and attendance • Attendance reminders sent on regular basis • Students need to complete a support program prior to obtaining individual assistance CRICOS Provider Code: 02042 G