Developing an effective grammar assessment for junior secondary students: A case study in Batu Layar, West Lombok, Indonesia

Abstract

The target learners for this assessment are students who are in grade seven and have just entered a junior secondary school in Gerung, Indonesia. Their age is between 12 to 13 years old. The students are a mixed ability group who have a very basic level of English. However, some of them have learnt English in primary school as an optional local content subject. Teachers have identified that most of the students lack the motivation and interest to learn English. As English is taught as a compulsory subject at schools, students have to learn the language and prepare themselves for the national examination. This paper attempts to explore an assessment design for these students which in turn could be used as feedback for both teachers and students in the future. First, the test (assessment) design will be provided in part A This will include the assessment use and timing, questions or tasks, instructions, materials, and the marking (feedback). In part 8, the discussion will address some aspects of language testing including practicality, reliability, validity, authenticity, as well as the positive washback effect.