Ezani, the head of the Test Center Malaysia, had conceived an idea to raise the profile of the TOEFL Junior test in Malaysia. He secured MoE approval for the program, but with one hitch. The JET (Junior English Test) program has one year to operate in a minimum of 6/13 states in Malaysia to receive a federal endorsement. Eva wonderfully took lead of the project for the Test Center of Malaysia and their supreme team. So that's the beginning of the story, lamentably I don't know how the story ends. It is just as much a mystery to you as it to me at this moment in time. However, you can check back the blog periodically to gage the unfolding of the plot. In summary, we have till the end of this year (2018) to run the program in 6 states. Fortunately, I do know how the story starts.
The month of Ramdhan was fast approaching, the window of opportunities to run the program was shrinking. JET was suppose to takeoff in March, although typical with big adventures the flight was delayed. In a dramatic fashion, SMA Rompin (Pahang) move forwarded their departure date and decided to be the inaugural launch site for the JET program. Big thanks for T. Yanti and Principal Husin bin Mohamad Yunus for hosting and coordinating the schools of SMA Tengku Ampuan Fatimah and SMA Bukit Ibam to attend.
The JET program consists of 3 main parts: 1. Instruction 2. TOEFL Junior test 3. English games. The TOEFL Junior is a paper based test including 3 divisions Listening Comprehension, Language Form & Meaning, and Reading Comprehension sections. The Top Gun instructors are Pn. Shahidah and myself, but I don't know why she keeps calling me Goose, lol. Anyhow, I prepared the students for the Language Form & Meaning and Reading Comprehension sections while Pn Shahidah prepared them for Listening Comprehension section. After which, the students take the approximately 2 hour exam. Now that work is out of the way, it's time to play.
The majority of the students have received no TOEFL Junior training prior to this event, it's safe to say the bulk of students don't even know what the TOEFL Junior is. It is my responsibility to illuminate them on what, why, and how we take the TOEFL Junior test, especially the Language Form and Reading Comprehension sections. My first task, is to orientate the students to concept of assessment over evaluation. You can't pass or fail, there are no grades in the TOEFL Junior, it is not like the SPM evaluation. Quite the contrary, it is an assessment tool designed to give the student accurate feedback geared for their improvement.
Pn. Shahidah pulled some ace moves by doing some practical demos of the Listening Comprehension section. Note, most students in Malaysia don't receive any formal examination with a listening component throughout their primary and secondary educational careers. They lack exposure and training in listening skills. Students often find the Listening Comprehension section the most challenging. After Pn. Shahidah's Listening Comprehension simulator, the young recruits are ready to take off.
We recognize the sombreness of test-taking and the scarcity of English events in the typical Malaysian students path. Therefore, we seize this occasion to create a one day English environment. Following an eye opening morning of learning how and accomplishing the taking of an internationally accredited test, it is ever so important to drive home the resonating message that learning English is fun. Since we can't add games into the TOEFL Junior, the next best thing is to have an afternoon dominated by them.
Students were divided into 8 groups. The first activity allows them to unleash their creativity in a group poster contest that includes the theme, 'TOEFL Junior JETS me to success!' Next, there are 4 stations of games where points are captured by competing teams. The 4 stations are:1. Prefix Bingo 2. Roll the Dice 3. Matching Card Game 4. One-Shot Stop. These games are followed by the final landing involving a paper plane making and group toss contest. Before the event came to a complete stop, there was brief prize giving nicety. The students takeaway from this event is a Score Report.
The students will receive their TOEFL junior Score Report, which includes scores for each section, detailed feedback on strengths and weaknesses, CEFR level, and Lexile measure (level appropriate reading list). As previously mentioned, students don't receive grades only scores. The total score ranges form 600 - 900, each section ranges from 200 - 300. A CEFR level from A2, B1, or B2 will also equated to the students performance on each of the 3 sections. Detailed feedback on all 3 sections. 'They have a good command of vocabulary typically used in everyday non-academic settings,' is a sample comment from the Language Form and Meaning section.
The Lexile measure is a useful tool for reading skills. It can be applied to find reading materials that satisfy or challenge the student's appropriate level. Lexile measures can also be used predicts a reader's development. This helpful literacy tool is just one of the many advantageous outcomes offered by the Score Report. Hence, the Score Report takeaway should clear skies and better direct the student's course to fluency and success in learning English. TOEFL JETS me to success!
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| Notice my picture with Abdu Rahim, in the backdrop is a poster with his picture on it. |
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