News & insights

  • INFOGRAPHIC (Vietnamese): A beginner’s guide to PTE Academic

    Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) là bài thi tiếng Anh quốc tế được công nhận trên toàn cầu.

    PTE giúp đánh giá trình độ tiếng Anh của thí sinh nhanh nhất và linh hoạt nhất, dùng để xét tuyển đại học.

    Bài thi là một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời cho người học tiếng Anh, giúp họ chinh phục các mục tiêu một cách chuyên nghiệp.

    Truy cập thông tin về PTE ngay tại đây. 

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  • INFOGRAPHIC (Thai): A beginner’s guide to PTE Academic

    แบบทดสอบ Pearson Test of English Academic(PTE) คือแบบทดสอบวัดระดับภาษาอังกฤษโดยเป็นที่ยอมรับกันทั่วโลก

    แบบทดสอบ PTE ใช้วิธีการวัดระดับความสามารถทางภาษาอังกฤษที่รวดเร็วและยืดหยุ่นเพื่อการสมัครเข้าศึกษาในระดับมหาวิทยาลัย

    นอกจากนี้ PTE ยังเหมาะสมสำหรับยกระดับผู้เรียนภาษาอังกฤษเพื่อการทำงานอย่างเป็นมืออาชีพ

    ข้อมูลอินโฟกราฟิกด้านล่างได้ทำการสรุปสิ่งที่คุณควรรู้เกี่ยวกับแบบทดสอบ PTE 

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  • INFOGRAPHIC: A beginner’s guide to PTE Academic

    The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) is a globally recognised English language assessment test.

    PTE provides test takers the fastest and most flexible way of proving their English language proficiency for university admissions.

    It is also ideal for helping English language learners in their pursuit of professional excellence.

    The infographic below outlines everything you need to know about the PTE. 

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  • Dữ liệu và phân tích đang thay đổi cách chúng ta học tiếng Anh như thế nào

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    Với nhu cầu học tiếng Anh ngày càng gia tăng trên khắp châu Á, những đổi mới trong công nghệ học tập đang làm thay đổi cách các nhà giáo dục trong khu vực đối mặt với thách thức trang bị cho những người không phải là người bản ngữ một trình độ tiếng Anh vừa đủ để thành công trong học thuật cũng như trong công việc.

    Chức năng học tập có sự hỗ trợ từ công nghệ tăng cường cho phép giáo viên thu thập và phân tích hiệu quả học tập của học sinh gần với thời gian thực, đồng thời sử dụng dữ liệu đó để tuỳ chỉnh trải nghiệm học tập. Chức năng này có ảnh hưởng sâu sắc đến cách thức giáo viên và học sinh tiếp cận việc giảng dạy tiếng Anh (ELT), đồng thời mang lại lợi ích cho những người đam mê học tiếng nhất trong khu vực.

    Ông Stuart Connor, Giám đốc Pearson châu Á phụ trách quản lý chất lượng và đánh giá cho biết: Các nền kinh tế mới nổi như Việt Nam và Thái Lan có “nhu cầu và khao khát học ngôn ngữ đặc biệt lớn”, chủ yếu do quan điểm cho rằng việc có khả năng hiểu và giao tiếp bằng ngôn ngữ khác, đặc biệt là tiếng Anh, là động lực mạnh mẽ và chủ yếu cho sự thăng tiến trong công việc.

    Chính phủ của cả hai quốc gia này có nhận thức khá rõ rệt về nhu cầu này và đang xây dựng những chương trình giảng dạy và dạy nghề tiếng Anh nhằm cung cấp cho công dân của họ những hỗ trợ cần thiết để phát triển trong một nền kinh tế toàn cầu. Họ “nhận thức sâu sắc về tầm quan trọng của tiếng Anh đối với sự thịnh vượng trong tương lai, thúc đẩy nền kinh tế đang trên đà phát triển và thu hút thêm đầu tư trực tiếp từ nước ngoài,” Stuart nói thêm.

    Và tất nhiên, các bước chuẩn bị cho người học tiếng Anh đón nhận một tương lai thành công bao gồm chuẩn bị các tài liệu, môi trường học tập và bằng cấp phù hợp. Vẫn theo ông Stuart, cần thiết lập các chuẩn đối sánh thành công cao, chẳng hạn: sử dụng tài liệu dựa trên các tiêu chuẩn tiếng Anh quốc tế (Tiếng Anh là Ngôn ngữ Thứ hai) và hướng tới trình độ B1, hoặc trung cấp, được đo lường trong Khung Tham chiếu chung Châu Âu (CEFR).

    Đào sâu phân tích dữ liệu

    Chúng ta biểu dương tinh thần của những mục tiêu đầy tham vọng nhưng cũng không quên đặt ra những câu hỏi dưới đây:

    • Học sinh bắt đầu hành trình học ngôn ngữ ở cấp độ nào?
    • Có đủ thời gian để học sinh đạt đến trình độ kỳ vọng trước khi tốt nghiệp hay không?
    • Giáo viên có đủ trình độ hoặc kỹ năng để có thể truyền dạy các kỹ năng cần giảng dạy hay không?
    • Giáo viên có đủ tài nguyên cần thiết để có thể thúc đẩy cải tiến hay không?

    Vì vậy, việc thu thập và phân tích dữ liệu học tập, năng lực, trình độ là một hợp phần ngày càng quan trọng trong tập hợp các công cụ của nhà giáo dục. Bà Kayo Taguchi, Quản lý Danh mục ELT của Pearson Châu Á cho rằng: Nhu cầu của học sinh là khác nhau, nên việc có lộ trình học tập riêng cho mỗi học sinh là rất quan trọng. Biết được chính xác trình độ thực sự của mỗi học sinh và đặt mục tiêu tiến bộ rõ ràng trong một khoảng thời gian cụ thể là chìa khóa để quản lý sự phát triển ngôn ngữ của họ.

    Bà nói thêm: “Mỗi người học với một tốc độ khác nhau. Trong cùng một lớp học, bạn có thể có người học nhanh, người học chậm. Mỗi học sinh lại có thể mạnh và khó khăn riêng cần được xác định rõ”.

    Chúng ta có thể thực hiện điều này nhờ thu thập và phân tích dữ liệu liên tục, cho phép xác định điểm mạnh và điểm yếu ở cấp độ chi tiết nhất. Khi thông tin này được đánh giá trong quá trình học tập, nó sẽ giúp tạo ra một vòng phản hồi cho phép xây dựng trải nghiệm học tập độc đáo, tuỳ chỉnh và hiệu quả cho học sinh. Stuart lưu ý thêm: “Đưa ra phản hồi cho việc dạy, học, đánh giá là một chu trình tiếp diễn.”

    Theo Kayo, việc có mức độ hiểu biết sâu sắc là chìa khóa để giữ lửa học tập cho những học sinh nhiệt tình và hăng hái. Bà cũng cho biết: “Việc có thể xác định điểm mạnh và khó khăn của từng cá nhân sẽ giúp các nhà giáo dục tiếp thêm động lực học sinh,” và rằng môi trường học tập có công nghệ hỗ trợ là vô cùng hữu ích cho quá trình này.

    Tương lai của việc học ngôn ngữ

    Vậy, công nghệ hỗ trợ cho các nhà giáo dục trong công cuộc dạy học tốt hơn như thế nào? Stuart cho biết: “Pearson sử dụng rất nhiều công cụ, bao gồm cả trí thông minh nhân tạo, để thu thập và phân tích dữ liệu về quá trình học tập để giải mã các mẫu và tạo ra chân dung của một lớp học cũng như của từng học sinh theo quy mô và tốc độ học tập khác nhau.

    Việc Pearson sở hữu các năng lực phân tích dựa trên dữ liệu có nghĩa là họ có khả năng thu thập các chi tiết cụ thể cũng như trình bày thông tin nhanh chóng và theo cách mà giáo viên có thể hiểu được. Sau đó, họ có thể sử dụng kiến thức đó để đưa ra quyết định tốt hơn liên quan đến cách thức dạy học, cách họ tập trung và quản lý phương pháp tiếp cận mỗi người học.

    Ví dụ: Pearson sử dụng công nghệ học máy để chấm điểm nhanh chóng và chính xác các bài kiểm tra cũng như phân tích hiệu quả học tập của học sinh theo các kỹ năng độc lập, thậm chí theo các kỹ năng nói khác nhau. Nếu học sinh có điểm yếu, ví dụ như: chỉ có thể nói ở một trình độ nhất định trong một ngữ cảnh nào đó, học sinh sẽ nhận được phản hồi và gợi ý, nhờ đó, các phần cụ thể của chương trình học có thể giải quyết hiệu quả điểm yếu này ở cấp độ kỹ năng tương ứng. Tất cả công việc đều có thể thực hiện nhờ vào công nghệ mà không cần có sự can thiệp của con người.

    Các nhà giáo dục cũng sẽ có khả năng gây ảnh hưởng tới công tác đào tạo, thu thập dữ liệu và phân tích hiệu quả học tập từ xa - những khả năng đang dần trở nên quan trọng hơn. Stuart cho biết: “Chúng tôi phải thay đổi hoàn toàn phương pháp giảng dạy của mình do đại dịch COVID-19, chưa bao giờ chúng tôi phải chạy hết tốc lực và chuyển sang phương thức học từ xa và học trực tuyến như bây giờ”.

    Pearson đang thích nghi với thực tế mới của một thế giới có mức độ kỹ thuật số ngày càng cao bằng cách tích hợp đánh giá vào các khóa học. Bạn có thể truy cập kỹ thuật số các khoá học này thông qua các nền tảng học tập của công ty.

    Cuối cùng, rõ ràng rằng, dù thế giới có thay đổi ra sao khi chúng ta bước vào trạng thái “bình thường mới", thì ảnh hưởng của công nghệ và dữ liệu đến ngành sư phạm là có thật và còn mãi.

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  • ข้อมูลและการวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลกำลังเปลี่ยนแปลงวิธีที่เราเรียนภาษาอังกฤษอย่างไร

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    ในขณะที่การเรียนภาษาอังกฤษกำลังเป็นที่นิยมเพิ่มขึ้นในเอเชีย นวัตกรรมด้านเทคโนโลยีการเรียนรู้ก็กำลังเปลี่ยนแปลงวิธีที่นักการศึกษาในภูมิภาคดังกล่าวใช้เพื่อรับมือความท้าทายในการเสริมความชำนาญอันจำเป็นต่อผู้ที่ไม่ใช่เจ้าของภาษาทั้งในบริบทของสถานศึกษาและวิชาชีพ 


    บทบาทที่เพิ่มขึ้นของการใช้เทคโนโลยีเพื่อส่งเสริมการศึกษา ซึ่งทำให้ผู้สอนสามารถรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ผลการเรียนของผู้เรียนได้ในแทบจะทันที และสามารถใช้ข้อมูลดังกล่าวเพื่อปรับรูปแบบการเรียนรู้ให้เหมาะสม ทั้งหมดล้วนส่งผลต่อวิธีที่ผู้สอนและผู้เรียนใช้ในการสอนภาษาอังกฤษ (ELT) และกลุ่มผู้เรียนภาษาที่มีความแข็งขันซึ่งอยู่ในบางพื้นที่ของภูมิภาคกำลังได้รับประโยชน์จากเรื่องดังกล่าว   


    ประเทศเศรษฐกิจเกิดใหม่อย่างเวียดนามและไทยกำลัง “เกิดความต้องการและความกระหายด้านการเรียนภาษา” ด้วยตระหนักว่าความเข้าใจและความสามารถในการสนทนาภาษาเพิ่มเติมโดยเฉพาะภาษาอังกฤษ ถือเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญต่อความก้าวหน้าทางอาชีพ อ้างอิงตามคำกล่าวของคุณสจ๊วต คอนเนอร์ ผู้อำนวยการฝ่ายคุณวุฒิและการประเมินของ Pearson Asia

     
    รัฐบาลของทั้งสองประเทศตระหนักถึงความต้องการดังกล่าว และกำลังเปลี่ยนแปลงหลักสูตรภาษาอังกฤษและอาชีวศึกษา เพื่อมอบความช่วยเหลือที่จำเป็นแก่ประชาชนเพื่อเป้าหมายแห่งความเจริญก้าวหน้าในเศรษฐกิจโลก ประเทศดังกล่าว “เล็งเห็นถึงความสำคัญของภาษาอังกฤษที่มีต่อความสำเร็จในอนาคต ซึ่งจะช่วยขับเคลื่อนเศรษฐกิจให้เติบโต และดึงดูดการลงทุนโดยตรงจากต่างประเทศให้เพิ่มสูงขึ้น” คุณสจ๊วต กล่าว 


    อย่างไรก็ดีการเตรียมตัวผู้เรียนภาษาอังกฤษเพื่ออนาคตที่สดใส จำเป็นต้องอาศัยความเหมาะสมทั้งในด้านสื่อการเรียนการสอน สภาพแวดล้อมการเรียนรู้ และการประเมินคุณวุฒิ อันประกอบด้วยการกำหนดเกณฑ์มาตรฐานระดับสูงเพื่อความสำเร็จ อาทิ การใช้สื่อการเรียนการสอนตามมาตรฐานสากลของ ESL (ภาษาอังกฤษในฐานะภาษาที่สอง) และการมุ่งเป้าไปที่ระดับ B1 หรือระดับกลาง ตามกรอบมาตรฐานความสามารถทางภาษาของยุโรป (CEFR) อันเป็นความเห็นของคุณสจ๊วต 


    เจาะลึกเรื่องข้อมูล

     
    อย่างไรก็ดีเป้าหมายอันแรงกล้าที่น่ายกย่องดังกล่าวมาพร้อมคำถามอีกหลายข้อ:  

    • ผู้เรียนควรเริ่มเรียนภาษาตั้งแต่ระดับใด  
    • มีเวลาเพียงพอที่จะผลักดันให้ผู้เรียนก้าวสู่ระดับทางภาษาที่ต้องการเมื่อจบการศึกษาหรือไม่  
    • ผู้สอนมีคุณวุฒิหรือความสามารถที่เหมาะสมในการถ่ายทอดทักษะต่างๆ ที่จำเป็นต้องสอนหรือไม่  
    • ผู้สอนมีสื่อการเรียนการสอนที่จำเป็นซึ่งช่วยส่งเสริมพัฒนาการหรือไม่ 


    ดังนั้นการรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลด้านการเรียนรู้และความชำนาญทางภาษาจึงมีบทบาทสำคัญในฐานะเครื่องมือของนักการศึกษา ผู้เรียนแต่ละคนมีความประสงค์ในแบบของตน ดังนั้นเส้นทางการเรียนรู้รายบุคคลจึงเป็นเรื่องสำคัญ ตามความเห็นของคุณคาโย ทางุชิ ผู้จัดการฝ่ายดูแล ELT ของ Pearson Asia ดังนั้นการตระหนักถึงระดับความสามารถที่แท้จริงของผู้เรียน และการมีเป้าหมายที่ชัดเจนด้านพัฒนาการในแต่ละช่วงเวลา จึงมีความสำคัญในการจัดการด้านพัฒนาการทางภาษา  


    “แต่ละคนเรียนรู้ได้ไม่เท่ากัน ดังนั้นในชั้นเรียนเดียวกัน จึงมีทั้งผู้ที่เรียนช้าและเรียนเร็ว” คุณคาโย กล่าว “แต่ละคนมีจุดเด่นและจุดด้อยต่างกันไป และจำเป็นต้องรับได้ความใส่ใจ”  


    เราจะทราบได้ก็ด้วยการรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลอย่างต่อเนื่อง ซึ่งทำให้เล็งเห็นถึงจุดเด่นและจุดด้อยโดยละเอียด เมื่อนำข้อมูลดังกล่าวเข้าสู่กระบวนการเรียนรู้ ก็จะช่วยสร้างวงรอบข้อคิดเห็นที่ช่วยให้ผู้เรียนได้รับประสบการณ์ด้านการเรียนรู้อันเป็นเอกลักษณ์ เฉพาะตัว และมีประสิทธิภาพ ดังที่คุณสจ๊วตระบุว่า “วงรอบข้อคิดเห็นของการสอน การเรียน การประเมิน ล้วนต้องดำเนินการอย่างต่อเนื่อง” 


    คุณคาโยยังกล่าวด้วยว่า ข้อมูลเชิงลึกลักษณะดังกล่าวเป็นกุญแจสำคัญที่ช่วยให้ผู้เรียนมีความกระตือรือร้นและมีแรงบันดาลใจในการศึกษาเรียนรู้ต่อไป “ความสามารถในการบ่งชี้จุดเด่นและจุดด้อยของผู้เรียนแต่ละคนจะช่วยนักการศึกษาในการสร้างแรงจูงใจแก่ผู้เรียน” คุณคาโย กล่าว อีกทั้งยังเสริมด้วยว่า สภาพแวดล้อมการเรียนรู้ที่มีเทคโนโลยีเป็นตัวช่วยถือเป็นสิ่งล้ำค่าต่อกระบวนการที่ว่า 


    อนาคตของการเรียนภาษา 


    เทคโนโลยีช่วยเหลือนักการศึกษาให้สามารถสอนได้ดีขึ้นอย่างไร “Pearson ใช้เครื่องมือหลายอย่าง ซึ่งรวมถึงเทคโนโลยีปัญญาประดิษฐ์ เพื่อรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลในกระบวนการเรียนรู้ เพื่อถอดรหัสรูปแบบและสร้างภาพร่างของชั้นเรียนและผู้เรียนแต่ละคนได้อย่างรวดเร็วและในปริมาณมาก” คุณสจ๊วต กล่าว  


    ความสามารถด้านการวิเคราะห์ที่ขับเคลื่อนโดยข้อมูลของ Pearson ช่วยในการบันทึกรายละเอียดที่ครอบคลุม และนำเสนอข้อมูลได้อย่างรวดเร็วในรูปแบบที่ผู้สอนเข้าใจได้ง่าย ทำให้สามารถนำองค์ความรู้ดังกล่าวไปใช้ในการตัดสินใจให้ดียิ่งขึ้น ทั้งในด้านวิธีการสอน และแนวทางการใส่ใจและดูแลผู้เรียนแต่ละคน  


    ตัวอย่างเช่น Pearson ใช้เทคโนโลยีการเรียนรู้ของเครื่อง (machine learning) เพื่อวัดผลทดสอบอย่างรวดเร็วและแม่นยำ รวมถึงสามารถจำแนกผลการเรียนของนักเรียนแต่ละคนตามทักษะ ซึ่งจำแนกได้แม้กระทั่งทักษะการพูด และหากผู้เรียนมีจุดอ่อนในบางเรื่อง เช่น ในการพูดบางระดับภายใต้บางบริบท ระบบก็สามารถให้ข้อคิดเห็นและคำแนะนำว่าควรเน้นย้ำหัวข้อใดในสื่อการเรียนการสอนของหลักสูตรเพื่อเสริมทักษะดังกล่าว ซึ่งทั้งหมดถูกจัดการโดยอัตโนมัติผ่านเทคโนโลยี โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องมีผู้ใดเข้าไปจัดการ 


    นักการศึกษายังสามารถถ่ายทอดการสอน รวบรวมข้อมูล และวิเคราะห์ผลการเรียนได้จากระยะไกล ซึ่งเป็นคุณสมบัติที่กำลังมีความสำคัญอย่างมาก “เราต้องเปลี่ยนกระบวนวิธีการสอนโดยสิ้นเชิง สืบเนื่องจากการแพร่ระบาดของไวรัสโคโรนา จนทำให้เราต้องก้าวสู่การเรียนการสอนออนไลน์จากระยะไกลให้เร็วที่สุด” คุณสจ๊วต กล่าว  


    Pearson ได้ปรับตัวสู่วิถีใหม่แห่งโลกดิจิทัลที่เข้มข้นขึ้น โดยผสานการประเมินผลไว้ในสื่อการเรียนการสอนของหลักสูตร ซึ่งสามารถเข้าถึงได้ผ่านระบบการเรียนการสอนของบริษัทในรูปแบบดิจิทัล 


    ดังนั้นไม่ว่าโลกของเราจะเปลี่ยนแปลงไปอย่างไรในยุคของ “ชีวิตวิถีใหม่” เทคโนโลยีและข้อมูลก็ยังคงส่งผลต่อการเรียนการสอนโดยจริงแท้และไม่เปลี่ยนแปลง

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  • How data and analytics are changing the way we learn the English language

    As demand for English language learning continues to grow in popularity across Asia, innovations in learning technologies are changing how educators in the region are approaching the challenge of equipping non-native speakers with the proficiency required to succeed in academia and the professional world.   

    The increased functionality of tech-assisted study, which allows teachers to collect and analyse student performance in near real-time and use that data to customise the learning experience, is having a profound effect on how teachers and students are approaching English language teaching (ELT), and some of the region’s most enthusiastic language learners are benefiting.  

    Emerging economies such as Vietnam and Thailand have an especially “huge demand and appetite for language learning,” driven largely by the recognition that being able to comprehend and converse in another language, particularly English, is a powerful driver for, primarily, career advancement, says Stuart Connor, Pearson Asia’s Qualifications & Assessment Director.  

    The governments of both countries are recognising this demand and are shaping their English language and vocational curriculums to give their citizens the helping hand they need to prosper in the global economy. They are “acutely aware of how important English is going to be to future prosperity, to driving a growing economy, and to attracting more foreign direct investment,” says Stuart.  

    Of course, preparing learners of English for a successful future call for the right course materials, learning environments and qualifications. This includes setting high benchmarks for success, such as using materials based on international ESL (English as a Second Language) standards and aiming for a level of B1, or intermediate, level as measured in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), according to Stuart.   

    Deep dive into data

    As commendable as these ambitious targets are, the following questions remain:

    • At what level are students starting their language-learning journey?
    • Is there enough time to get students to the level expected by the time they graduate?
    • Are teachers sufficiently qualified or skilled to be able to teach the skills that need teaching?
    • Do teachers have the resources they need to be able to drive improvements?  

    To that end, gathering and analysing learning and proficiency data is increasingly becoming part of an educator’s toolbox. Each student has their own needs, and it's important to have individual learning pathways, points out Kayo Taguchi, Pearson Asia’s ELT Portfolio Manager. Knowing exactly what a learner’s true level is, and having clear goals for progress over a specific period of time, are key to managing their language development.   

    “Everyone learns at a different pace. In the same class, you could have slow learners as well as fast learners,” says Kayo. “Each of them has different strengths and challenges and these need to be addressed.”   

    This is made possible by the continuous collection and analysis of data, which can identify strengths and weaknesses at a granular level. When this information is fed back into the learning process, it helps to create a feedback loop that enables the creation of a unique, customised and effective learning experience for the student. As Stuart notes, “The feedback cycle of teach, learn, assess – it's just ongoing.”  

    Having that level of insight, Kayo says, is key to keeping students enthusiastic and inspired to continue learning. “Being able to identify an individual’s strengths and challenges will help educators build student motivation,” she says, adding that tech-assisted learning environments can be invaluable to the process.  

    The future of language learning  

    So, how does technology assist educators in the quest to teach better? “Pearson uses a range of tools, including artificial intelligence, to gather and analyse data on the learning process in order to decipher patterns and create portraits of a classroom and its individual students at scale and at speed,” according to Stuart.   

    Pearson’s data-driven analytics abilities mean that it can capture highly specific details, and present the information quickly and in a way that teachers can understand. They can then use that knowledge to make better decisions around how they teach, and how they focus and curate each learner’s approach.   

    For instance, Pearson uses machine learning to rapidly and accurately score tests and break down each student’s performance by skill, even speaking skills. And if a learner has a specific weakness say, at a certain level of speaking in a certain context, there will be feedback and recommendations as to which particular sections of the courseware can effectively address this particular gap in their skill level, all powered by technology, all without human intervention.  

    Educators are also acquiring the ability to impart training, gather data and analyse performance remotely, something that is increasingly becoming important. “We're having to completely change our teaching methodologies due to the coronavirus pandemic, as we move at unprecedented speeds towards remote and online learning,” says Stuart.   

    Pearson is adapting to the new ground realities of an increasingly digital world by integrating assessments into courseware that can be accessed digitally through the company’s learning platforms.  

    Ultimately, it’s clear that however the world may look when we return to a “new normal”, the influence of technology and data on pedagogy is real and here to stay.   

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  • PODCAST: Episode 1 – Is the “buy the book, take the test” approach still relevant?

    Welcome to episode 1 of the Art of Learning podcast, brought to you by Pearson Asia.

    In this episode, we're joined by Kayo Taguchi, Pearson Asia's ELT Portfolio Manager, and Stuart Connor, Pearson Asia's Qualifications and Assessment Director, to discuss why it’s important to link courseware with assessment, and how such an approach produces better testing outcomes across a range of qualifications.

    We dive into the impact of COVID-19 on their day-to-day roles (1:16), the appetite for English language learning across Asia (2:22), whether traditional teaching methods are outdated (4:51), the concept of linking courseware with assessment (8:18), the impact of data and analytics on teaching and learning (11:48), and we put a bow on the discussion by sharing advice and strategies for adapting to the modern world of teaching (15:42).

    Listen now.

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  • English speakers get jobs, English proficiency attracts 21st century careers

    Which would you prefer?

    When you get a job, you get a paycheck. When you have a career, you get a series of employment opportunities, specializations, perhaps even renown. And yes, a series of bigger and bigger paychecks as you progress.

    And it can all happen because, like many Filipinos, you can speak English.

    Mark Flores

    Mark Flores, Business Development Manager, Pearson Philippines

     

    There are many articles on job-related mental health issues around the web. The area this article is qualified in is, to help soothe the pain points of employability and life opportunities, 21 st century Skills Qualifications.

    But because of the demands of the 21st century workplace, simply speaking English may no longer be enough to land you a job, much less a career. Just because you speak English doesn’t necessarily mean you are proficient in English. With organizations today demanding a high degree of competency or mastery of the English language, lacking this skill may affect your hireability by today’s globalized employer.

    At Pearson’s first-ever Learning Symposium in the Philippines, Ms. Shama Siddiqui, Senior Training Manager at TDS Global Solutions said “Having a workforce that is proficient in English is no longer a luxury, it is now a necessity. Apart from technical skills, it is needed in the workplace – a workplace that is expanding as globalization and technological innovation accelerates.”

    Quote 1

    Ms. Siddiqui further elaborates, “Business success depends on how well we do in our language competency. Why? Quite simply, companies are talking to people across the globe. It’s transcending boundaries of geography. Global expansion, productivity enhancement, workforce streamlining, efficiency improvement, employee retention -- all happen through conversations and dialogue. Through all of these, English proficiency impacts the profitability of the Organization.”

     

     

    But you may ask, why the need for proficiencies and skills qualifications in English all of a sudden? We’ve gotten this far without them in the past

    It’s because English proficiency is at the very foundation upon which all the 21 st century competencies like critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and collaboration rest on. And it’s those competencies that companies demand today.

    As Ms. Siddiqui learned from employers, “The more a person progresses in their career, they will need to engage in more and more conversations that will revolve around decision-making independently. Not being able to do so critically limits the progress of the business and that person’s own progress.”

    Pearson Asia’s Head of Qualifications and Assessment Stuart Connor explained, “English supports employability skills. When you look at those soft skills, like cultural awareness, critical thinking, and learning agility -- they funnel through English. The process of language acquisition, of learning a language and interacting with other human beings in a second or third language, actually facilitates development of these other skills. English runs as sort of a glue or DNA through all of this.”

     

    But wait, aren’t Filipinos known for speaking English?

    Ms. Siddiqui gave us the current data: “What we see not only in the Philippines but across the globe in most offshoring locations is that English is at an average level compared to what organizations need. On a global English proficiency study, using a scoring range from 0 to 90 (90 being the highest), The Philippines is somewhere at 59, with average scores of 58-68 for basic conversational skills; and just 53 for writing skills.”

     

    What does this mean for employability in the new competitive market?

    Mr. Paul Ryan Paez, Project Manager at ADEC Innovations Outsourcing and Workforce Solutions, shared his experience from the IT and BPO industries at the symposium.

    “Out of 500 graduates, only 8 were hired. And with the high standards demanded by BPO’s, only 1 out of 11 get hired, despite their proficiencies. A contributing factor is that employees only start to learn English after they graduate. ”

    A shot of caffeine to the popular notion that if you can speak English, you can easily get a job.

    Quote 1

    As to the population and proficiency of English speakers, Mr. Paez continued, “Only 20% of the entire population are English majors. From that, less than 50% of those English major applicants that we interview and test, do not make it. While English is spoken as a first language in key cities like Metro Manila, in the provinces, it’s taught as a second language with few opportunities to practice. And as with any skill, it atrophies when not exercised.”

     

    So how can Filipinos, from the cities to the provinces, be proficient in English now?

    Speaking on The Power of English Assessments, Ms. Shama Siddiqui recommended a simple yet significant step towards certifications: Automated testing.

    “All you need is an internet connection, and you can take English assessments on your desktop, laptop or mobile devices. A.I. based, using waveform and spectral analysis -- they are unbiased, accurate, far less prone to errors versus human testers, with results produced in as little as 3-5 Minutes.”

    Pearson’s courses and assessments are not only convenient. They are a badge of skills certifications sought-after by employers globally. Not only do they help you land a job, it equips you with qualifications to progress in your career and beyond. For more information on Pearson Assessments such as Versant, PTE General and PTE Academic follow this link.

    Don’t forget that you’ll be working in a 21st century workplace. How you articulate your ideas to someone halfway round the world (who may be more if not as proficient in English as you are) could be critical in your career. But with the solid foundation of English Proficiency as your core, you’ll have a head-start.

    Take it from Stuart Connor. “English is the key ingredient for a successful career. English enables communication and teamwork as a necessary factor for teams to function effectively. And if you’re certified as English Proficient, you’re more likely to be employed. You’ll have more opportunities to unlock, to progress. English is something we’re passionate about, something we’re proud of. And we’ve been involved in helping people to learn English for 269 years.”

    Learn more here.

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  • Understanding learner competencies through the Global Scale of English (GSE)

    As a teacher at a language school, one of my key interests is monitoring and understanding the journey of my students’ language progress. Sometimes, it can be a little disheartening realising that perhaps my best efforts are still not enough to help students who may not be responding to the coursework. I believe that as a teacher, there must be something I can improve on which can help all my students achieve maximum progress.

    Recently, I attended a session held by Pearson on The Global Scale of English. This session discusses The Global Scale of English (GSE), a standard to measure learner’s English competencies, and the GSE Teacher Toolkit. Below, I will tell you what I’ve gained from the session.

     

    Quote 1

    What is GSE?

    The Global Scale of English, or GSE for short, is a measurement that helps teachers to measure the competencies of English learners. The GSE’s development has been based on the CEFR model. CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) has been widely used by teachers, students, schools, and publishers to standardise language competency. It can be broken down into three groups of basic users (A), independent users (B), and proficient users (C), with two levels for each ‘user group’. CEFR contains a number of ‘can-do statements’. Each level in CEFR has its own ‘can- do statements’ which learners need to achieve in order to move to the higher level.

    Below is CEFR levels and their labels:

    CEFR Levels

    *source: https://www.english.com/blog/addressing-the-missing-levels-with-gse/

    Within schools, learners have a certain amount of time to complete a course and achieve ‘can-do statements’ of a CEFR level. As every learner’s ability and progress in learning is unique, not all learners progress at the same pace. Progress takes time, and each learner needs their own individual time to attain a certain level of competency.

    Quote 2

    In the long run, this creates a problem.

    A learner who has studied English for a long time may be assumed to belong to a particular level of CEFR (let’s say B1), but there is possibility that the learner belongs to between A2 and B1 instead. However, since the learner is placed in a B1 class, he or she needs to keep up with B1-level expectations. This can lead to difficulties for the learner in reaching maximum progress and obtaining a satisfactory learning result at the end of an English program. Up to this point, I can very much relate this scenario with some of my students.

    GSE aims to fill the gap. By quantifying each level of CEFR, GSE gives a more accurate manner of predicting learner’s competency in CEFR model. By having accurate knowledge of learner’s competency, teachers can be more precise in planning their lesson. Therefore, maximum progress of all students can take place.

    Below is a comparison between CEFR and GSE:

    GSE Tabel

    The above presents the GSE measuring table of proficiency in all language skills and levels based on the CEFR model. As we can see, there is a wide range between some CEFR levels (A2 to B1, B1 to B2, B2 to C1). Hence, a class of A2, for example, consists of learners with competency score 30 (near A1) to 42 (almost B1). GSE helps teachers in identifying the minimum and maximum point of learners’ competency, so that they can plan lessons in which no learner is left behind.

     

    Working with GSE

    A teacher who is planning a lesson to suit their student’s competency may consult GSE learning objectives by visiting GSE Teacher Toolkit page, https://www.english.com/gse/teacher-toolkit/user/lo . There is a GSE/CEFR scale, where buttons can be moved horizontally based on the score range intended.

    For example, if you have a class with A2 level, you can drag the left button on the scale to the minimum A2 score (30) and drag the right button to the maximum A2 score (42). See the picture below for an example:

    Conference

     

    On the left side there is a box to choose learner type and skill. For example if we chose to combine ‘adult learners’ and ‘reading’, by clicking the ‘show results’ you will get 22 learning objectives based on order of GSE scores.

    Conference

     

    Besides learning objectives, GSE Teacher Toolkit also provides Grammar and Vocabulary sections.

    Conference

     

    In the Grammar section, GSE Teacher Toolkit provides downloadable activities based on the chosen grammar category.

    Conference

     

    In the Vocabulary section, GSE Teacher Toolkit provides pronunciation with American and British accents, definitions, as well as collocation.

    Conference

    All the above facilities are easily accessed and free to use. These conveniences do not only save teacher’s time and energy, but most importantly they help teachers prepare the right course materials so that their learners get opportunities to reach maximum progress.

     

    Conclusion

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) provides at least four advantages for both teachers and learners:

    • Teacher obtain a better understanding of students’ individual competency. Therefore, they can prepare and adapt the right course materials in order to suit students’ needs.

    • The GSE Teacher Toolkit makes lesson planning simple, accurate, and easy to use.

    • Learners are given more opportunities to achieve maximum progress in learning English.

    • Recognised globally, GSE helps students to gain confidence in their language ability and competency acceptance.

    To learn more about the GSE Teacher’s Toolkit, please visit here.

     

    BIODATA

    WINDA HAPSARI is an English teacher and teacher educator at LIA Language School, Indonesia. She has been working with a variety of learners for about two decades. She earned her master’s degree in educational psychology from Universitas Indonesia. Besides teaching, she also conducts classroom / educational research and publishes some of her works. Her recent article, which she co- authored with a colleague, titled Teaching Reading to Encourage Critical Thinking and Collaborative Work is published by Springer in early 2018. Her interest includes areas of teacher professional development, teaching language skills, and motivation.

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  • Will Artificial Intelligence Become Pearson's Competitive Advantage in Language Testing?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer limited to science fiction novels and the imagination. As we take steps closer to a full integration of AI and processing of information it can seem unsettling not knowing how it will affect the education realm itself. How will we approach something as complex and “human” as language testing using AI? Will the emergence of AI be a positive or negative influence on the way we approach it, and will it allow us to refine the testing process itself? Pearson’s very own Director of Academic Standards and Measurement Dr Rose Clesham discussed these questions and more recently at events in Singapore.

    AI Language testing

    Quote 1

    Dr Chlesham’s presentation entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence: Changing the Face of Formative and Summative Assessment’ outlines how computer-based tests such as the PTE Academic are at the forefront of harnessing the transformational power of AI in language assessments.

    The event, organised by PTE Academic at the Hilton Hotel, was well attended by clients and stakeholders from universities, colleges, language schools and education agents. Presenting as a keynote speaker, Dr Clesham explores new insights and revelations on the power and potential of AI to positively influence the way language assessment is conducted. She believes in the potential for AI to improve and refine the way language assessment is conducted globally.

    When discussing AI and its integration with education, many would be unsure of its suitability with language testing due to its complexity. Dr. Clesham, whose area of research is learning assessment, revealed to the conference that she too was initially in this line of thought. After all, AI is still not considered to be a genuine replacement for human intellect, how would a computer be able to gauge and assess the nuances and rhythm of human language?

    Conference

    Dr Clesham says that her views shifted as she engaged with AI and studied the applications. It was found that it was the complexity of language testing that made it a perfect fit for an AI to work with. For high stakes language testing on a global scale, there is a need for efficient, secure, and fair testing conditions which also adhere to a golden standard. Computer based tests that are facilitated through AI technology allows for these strict standards to be met, and provide every test taker to undergo the same experience.

    These issues can be avoided utilising AI. We rely on computers to perform routine tasks as they don’t get bored, they make fewer mistakes, and they are unbiased and unswayed by emotion or prejudice. By allowing AI to filter out the potential for human error we can provide more accurate test results, and in turn we can monitor the AI’s ability to give fair assessments.

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    Dr Clesham’s presentation was met with ripples of recognition and relatability throughout the presentation. One of these powerful ‘Ah-Ha’ moments came with the presentation of a side-by-side comparison of a proficient vs. non proficient speaker. The visualisation of sound wave measurements, and the explanation of the algorithm measuring fluency, accent, errors, and WPM, elicited nods of recognition and understanding from the crowd.

    Using PTE as an example, she stresses the importance of validating the AI marking engines by correlating and training them with massive inputs from expert markers. PTE Academic uses human markers as a safety net in the process; when the AI is presented with unrecognisable speaking or writing then the material referred to this safety net. This ensures that the test taker’s results are fair and balanced, and also helps to educate, validate and improve the AI marking system. In other words, if the AI is unable to process the information then expert markers step in to educate the AI.

    For those amongst the audience concerned with their roles being replaced by AI, Dr Clesham offered this advice:

    In other words, we must embrace AI and view it as a tool that will enable educators and testing to reach their full potential.

    After the talk, there was an interactive session where attendees were able to express their perspective on what they saw as either the strengths or drawbacks in using AI for language testing. The Q&A session during this time produced some useful insights, and some of the preconceptions and enduring notions that will need to be overcome in educating the market moving forward.

    We thank Dr Rose Clesham for giving us the opportunity to understand and explore this new era of education and the developments in the future for language testing.

    Written By: Gordon Vanstone, Client Relations Manager, PTE Academic

    If you would like to know more about PTE Academic please visit this site or contact me directly at gordon.vanstone@pearson.com

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