SECTION 2 - YOUR LEARNERS

There is no substitute for getting to know your learners – their current capabilities, their strengths and weaknesses, and their limitations.

Initial Assessment and Diagnostic Assessments

All learners should complete an Initial Assessment. In addition to this they should then go on to complete a Diagnostic Assessment at the level indicated on the Initial Assessment. The results can then be used as an effective Individual Learning Plan (ILP) for your learners. Alternatively, you may wish to use this information to create your own ILP’s for your learners.

Learners with special assessment requirements

All learners must be judged against the same criteria, but some learners with special assessment requirements may need to have special conditions put in place. The format for the assessment may have to be adapted to suit their requirements or some learners may need special arrangements regarding the time and place of their assessment.

Special requirements may include:

1. The support of a suitably qualified person. For example, a person with a recognised disability such as deafness could have assistance from a qualified interpreter.
2. The provision of special technological aids. For example, for a learner who is blind, some documents could be provided in Braille.
3. Oral questioning could sometimes be used instead of asking the learner to produce written work when this is a problem for them.

Preparation for Candidate Assessments

The teacher/tutor must ensure that all learners are confident that they are prepared for assessment so that they can do themselves justice and do not feel that they are under any excess or undue pressure.

This means:

1. explaining the process carefully to them in advance;
2. making sure that they have all the materials they require in advance and even encouraging them to do a practice session.

The time and place for the assessment of all learners should be suitable, convenient and non-threatening.