ESP Evaluation

Any language teaching course has certain evaluation requirements, but in ESP these requirements
are brought sharply into focus by the fact that the ESP course normally has specified objectives. ESP
is accountable teaching. ESP learners and sponsors are investors in the ESP course and they want to
see a return on their investment of time and/or money. The managers of the ESP course are
accountable to these investors. This accountability has produced a demand for more and better
evaluation procedures
Learner assessment

As with any language course there is a need to assess student

per ormance at strategic points in the course, for example, at
the beginning and at the end. But this assessment takes on a
greater importance in ESP, because ESP is concerned with the
ability to perform particular communicative tasks
Course evaluation

A second important form of evaluation is the

evaluation o t e course itself. This kind of evaluation
helps to assess whether the course objectives are
being met — whether the course, in other words, is
doing what it was designed to do.
Learner assessment Tests

Placement tests. These are used to ' place' learners in the ESP course most
suited to their needs. The placement test normally comes at the beginning of
the course.
Achievement tests. These test how well the learner is keeping up with the
syllabus and can be administered any time through the course.
Proficiency tests. These assess whether or not the student can cope with the
demands of a particular situation, for example, study at a university or reading
technical manuals
 TEST

Sample Test The diagam below shows the flow of

coolant through a refrigeration system.
Study the diagram and then write a
description of how the coolant circulates
through the system.

Study the diagram. Then prepare and give an oral

commentary on the flow of coolant through the
system.
Course Evaluation

What should be evaluated ?

How can ESP courses be evaluated ?
Who should be involved in the evaluation ?
When (and how often) should evaluation take place ?
Evaluation

Assessment and Feedback