Research

Discussion: Our Linguistic Identity

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Grade 8 ELL are about to embark on an interesting project about how English language is used by people outside the main English speaking countries. It will help them a great deal if you could add your voice to this discussion by answering one or more of the following questions: How does it feel to … Read more

Converting the Discussion Skills Assessment Score to an IB Score

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This article reports on the addition of two further columns to the Discussion Skills Assessment (DSA) instrument: Columns L and M as shown in the screenshot below. I have been using the DSA to assess my IB MYP English Language and Literature (ELL) students during student-led seminar discussions in class. My previous research (Clark & … Read more

Discussion Skills Assessment (DSA) and the Student-Led Seminars Approach

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This page introduces my work on the development of the Discussion Skills Assessment (DSA) instrument and its current status at the time of writing. Historical Development and Rationale The student-led seminar approach I have been pioneering in different educational contexts was first inspired by a student-led seminar activity that formed part of the University of … Read more

Targeting ALT Skills of mindfulness and focus with Grade 6

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This article is the original version that I submitted for publication by the school. I edited the school publication significantly before it was published. Introduction Over the past five years, I have worked mostly with undergraduates and postgraduates in UK universities and high school students undertaking foundation year or IELTS preparation programmes in China. On … Read more

What’s wrong with the “formulaic template approach”?

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This is my criticism of what I call the “formulaic template approach”. This is the approach typically used in IELTS training centres across China where the student is taught to memorise a template consisting of numerous generic sentences or partial sentences so that all they need to do is paraphrase the prompt a few times … Read more

Professional Observations: Teaching and Assessing English in China

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Having worked in English language education, teaching and assessment in China for over twelve years, I have noticed certain trends in the language difficulties Chinese learners of English experience. I share them here as a resource for other English teachers. I will no doubt update this post a few times as this is by no … Read more