This is just a short addition to a thread we had going here a week ago. Assessment of speaking output should never occur in a comprehensible input based class. Why do that? Force is the wrong word when it comes to speech output – it kicks in the affective filter to an alarming degree. Evaluating speech output goes against everything we know about acquisition – how truly long it takes for natural unforced speech to spring unfettered from the unconscious mind, how kids feel in school when judged, what grades convey to them, how sensitive children can be when compare them with others – everything. It’s crazy. But because we’re teachers and we have learned to judge, and because we need something in the gradebook, we do it. Really? Is that who we are? Do we really want to take a child who is not even the equivalent of a three year old and judge what they can produce? I want to write a book on pride in teachers, with case studies. Now that would be an ugly read. Children are suffering right now. What’s that you say? One in six doesn’t have enough food to eat? No matter? They still have to show what they know! I’m a professional and a rigorous teacher!
