INTO EUROPEThe Writing Handbook

by Gyula Tankó

Presentation by Gyula Tankó

Into Europe - European Standards in Language Assessment ConferenceBudapest, February 9-10, 2006

Writing skills in language examinations

• integral part of LEs

• what is tested? genre knowledge (e.g. article vs letter of complaint)

text type knowledge (linguistic characteristics)

content

organisation (e.g coherence, cohesion)

grammar (range and accuracy)

vocabulary (range and accuracy)

Writing skills ~ Can of worms

WHY?

• lack of knowledge (What? Why? How to teach?)

• language teaching course books

• time factor

Grammar test

Vocab test

preparationadministration

assessment

Consequences

• writing skills unpopular with language teachers

• writing skills unpopular with language learners

poor writing skills development & poor writing skills

Who is it for?

INTO EUROPE: The Writing Handbook

Language teachers wishing to:

• design writing tasks

• administer writing tasks

• rate writing tasks using an analytic scale

What is in the book?

INTO EUROPE: The Writing Handbook

Part One: Background and Aims

• characteristic features of modern writing examinations• CEF scales for writing

• standard setting procedures• the nature of writing (e.g. writing process, factors that influence the writing process)

• practical tips for the writing teacher

INTO EUROPE: The Writing Handbook

Part Two: Task types and task demands

• designing writing tasks• letter

• article• composition (narrative, descriptive, discursive, argumentative)• practical tips for the writing teacher and students

• writing tasks

INTO EUROPE: The Writing Handbook

Part Three: Assessing writing ability

• rating scales• analytic rating

• sample scripts, justified scores• rating practice

• scores and justifications for the practice scripts

INTO EUROPE: The Writing Handbook

Series Editor: J. Charles Alderson

The Writing Handbook

Gyula Tankó

Published by Teleki László Foundation & The British CouncilDistributor: Libro TradeInfo: books@librotrade.hu

Thank You

Dr. Ildikó Csépes

icsepes@delfin.unideb.hu

Gyula Tankó

tanko@ludens.elte.hu