State of Kuwait Ministry of Education E L

State of Kuwait Ministry of Education E. L. T General Supervision Exam For the Nominees for the Position of: ((Heads of Departments)) Total Mark: 100 Exam in 8 pages Time allowed : 2 hours

Technical Questions (50 marks) I-Reading Comprehension (15 marks) -Read the following passage then answer the following questions: No student of a foreign language needs to be told that grammar is complex. This complexity is not only inherent to the English language. All languages, even those of so-called ‘primitive’ tribes, have clever grammatical components. The Cherokee pronoun system, for example, can distinguish between ‘you and I’, ‘several other people and I’ and you, another person and I’. In English, all these meaning are summed up in the one, crude pronoun ‘we’. Grammar is universal and plays a part in every language, no matter how widespread it is. So the question which has baffled many linguists iswho created grammar? To find out how grammar is created, someone needs to be present at the time of language’s creation, documenting its emergence. Many historical linguists are able to trace modern complex languages back to earlier languages , but in order to answer the question of how complex languages are actually formed, the researcher needs to observe how languages are started from scratch.

Some of the most recent languages evolved due to the Atlantic slave trade. At that time, slaves from a number of different ethnicities were forced to work together under colonizer’s rule. Since they had no opportunity to learn each other's languages, they developed a make-shift language called a pidgin. Pidgins are strings of words copied from the language of landowner. They have little in the way of grammar, and in many cases it is difficult for a listener to deduce when an event happened, and who did what to whom. Further evidence of this can be seen in studying sign languages for the deaf. The creation of one such languages was documented quite recently in Nicaragua where in 1979 a new government introduced schools for the deaf. Although children were taught speech and lip reading in the classroom. In the playgrounds they began to invent their own sign system, using the gestures that they used at home. It was basically a pidgin. Each child used the signs differently, and there was no consistent grammar. However, children who joined the school later, when this inventive sign system was already around, developed a quite different sign language. Although it was based on the signs of the older children, the younger children’s language was more fluid and compact, and it utilized a large range of grammatical devices to clarify meaning. What is more, all the children used the signs in the same way.

(B)-Decide whether each of the following statements is (TRUE) or (FALSE); justify the correct ones and correct the false ones: (5 X 5=25 marks) 1 -Plannig gives teachers a chance to predict possible problems in the class and think about ways to deal with them ( ) 2 -Learners develop creativity not when you tell them, but when you show them. ( ) 3 -Teachers who adopt the inductive way of teaching grammar should overexplain the rule to help learners understand. ( )

4 -In a heterogeneous class, students share the same cultural background ( ) 5 -A good observer focuses on the merits of the lesson. ( )

Choose the best answer from a, b, c and d : (5 X 3=15 marks) 1 -What can be inferred about slaves’ pidgin language? a-It contained complex grammar b-It was based on many different languages. . c-It was difficult to understand, even among slaves. d-It was created by the landowners. 2 -Why does the writer include information about the Cherokee language: a-To show simple, traditional cultures can have complicated grammar structures. b-To show English grammar differs from Cherokee grammar. c-To prove that complex grammar structures were invented by the Cherokees. d-To demonstrate how difficult it is to learn the Cherokee language.

3 -All of the following are features of the new Nicaraguan sign language EXCEPT……… a-All children used the same gestures to show meaning. b-The meaning was clearer than the previous sign language. c-The hand movements were smoother and smaller. d-New gestures were created for everyday objects and activities. 4 -Which sentence is closest in meaning to the following sentence in paragraph 1? ((Grammar is universal and plays a part in every language, no matter how widespread it is)) a-The grammar of all languages is the same, no matter where the language evolved. b-Some languages include a lot of grammar, whereas other languages contain a little. c-Languages with a lot of grammar are more common than languages with a little. d-All languages, regardless of the number of users, contain grammar. 5 -The most suitable title for this article would be…………. . a-The world’s most established languages. b-The creation of grammar. c-Language emergence. d-Complex grammar system.

II- Composition (20 marks) “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life but by the obstacles which one has overcome” In not less than 250 words, write about the topic showing how obstacles are the corner stone of any real success. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………

III- Grammar From a, b, c and d choose the right answer : (6 X 1½=9 marks) 1 -With a comprehensive international report, the country’s position in the regional and global arena…………. . with measurable criteria. a-is to identify. b-will be identified. c-is going to identify. d-identified. 2 -Mango trees, …………. . densely covered with glossy leaves and bear small fragrant flow, can rapidly attain heights of up to 90 feet A-are when b-that c-which are. d-which 3 -…………………that the American Indian crossed a land bridge into North America from what is now Russia a-It is considered. b-It is thought through c-It is thought d-It was thought

4 -We can’t go on holiday in May. We…………. . enough money by then a-won’t have saved b-won’t be saving c-won’t save d-aren’t going to save 5 -………………. . the French Revolution, many citizens had become upset with the Aristocracy. a-By the time b-Until c-By the time of d-Not until 6 -You…………. told him your opinion. He didn’t ask you for it. a-must have b-may not have c-should have d-needn’thave

Each of the following sentences has only TWO mistakes, identify them and write them correctly: (3 X 2=6 marks) (A) (B) 1 -We knew that they will have more trouble getting there on time as there (C) were heavy Traffic A: ……………… B: ………………. C: ………………. . . (A) (B) (C) 2 -Likely sharks, whales and dolphins are warm blooded mammal. A: ……………… B: ………………. C: ………………. . . (A) (C) (B) 3 - The reason which he has been such a success is because he never give up. . A: ……………… B: ………………. C: ………………. . .

- Educational Questions (50 marks) (A)-From a, b, c and d choose the right answer : (5 X 5=25 marks) 1 -A……………. . provides a measure of quality of performance on the basis of established criteria a-checklist b-close-test c-questionnaire d-rubric 2 -Miscue Analysis is a type of structured informal assessment which is used …………… a-by students when reading aloud or retelling a story. b-to provide students with a challenging method for increasing their skills in various areas. c-by teachers to record behaviours and students’ progress d-to measure progress through the curriculum

3 -All the following are types of extra and co-curricular activities except……………. . a-project work. b-dialogue role playing c-morning assembly programmers d-contests and competition. 4 -Intrapersonal intelligence is the…………. . a-potential to use one’s whole body to solve problems b-capacity to understand oneself to appreciate one’s feelings and motivations. c-ability to recognize and use pattern of wide space and more confined areas. d-capacity to understand the intentions and desires of other people. 5 -One of the following verb sets is appropriate for the objectives written at the understanding level……… a-define, identify, match, memorize b-conclude, apply, show, solve c-describe, explain, rewrite, translate d-classify, compare, debate, distinguish

(B)-Decide whether each of the following statements is (TRUE) or (FALSE); justify the correct ones and correct the false ones: (5 X 5=25 marks) 1 -”Responding” is considered one of the basic objectives in the cognitive domain. ( ) 2 -Speculation and reflective questions are considered to be one of the ethos created by a creative teacher. ( ) 3 -Proper and careful planning is conductive to achieving education quality. ( ) 4 -The Grammar- Translation Method was developed to integrate more use of the target language in instruction. ( ) 5 -In language acquisition, students have conscious knowledge of the new language and can talk about that knowledge ( )

1. ‘We all realize that it is possible to teach elaborately but this does not necessarily lead to effective learning. ’ How can we help make our students learn actually? Model Answer We can help make our students learn actually by …… giving the students a feeling of success to develop their self-confidence. having competent, patient, friendly, tolerant and broadminded teachers. developing students’ motivation to learn and creating a positive attitude towards learning. correcting students’ mistakes without humiliating them. creating a relaxed teaching atmosphere in class. making class activities enjoyable to have efficient learning. being well-prepared for the lesson as that makes the teacher aware of the main target of the teaching process. skilful use of the teaching aids as that saves teacher’s time and effort and facilitates the learning process. considering the individual differences among learners as that leads to effective learning. shifting gradually from the known to the unknown as that is very important from the psychological point of view.

2. ‘It is said that a successful teacher means a very successful lesson. ’ How? Model Answer A successful teacher means a very successful lesson, if the teacher succeeds in …. . being creative and innovative and has got imaginative power in class. having the ability to predict the areas of difficulty and tackle them. dealing with various activities (skills) to maximize the pupils’ participation. striking the balance between the teacher’s talking time and the pupils’ talking time inside the classroom. being skilful at using or utilizing the required teaching media. being always ready to change the techniques applied whenever necessary depending on the mood of the class or unexpected difficulty of the lesson. evaluating his lesson objectively. developing the competitive spirit of his learners. creating a real friendly teaching atmosphere in class. being keen enough on the on-going assessment of pupils’ progress and achievement in class.

3. On designing a ‘Remedial Plan’ for low-achievers, the main factors or elements should be taken into consideration. What are these main elements or factors? Comment on each in brief. Model Answer The teacher (who carries out the plan), the low-achiever (pupil) and the plan itself are three main elements or factors of a Remedial Plan. The teacher has to be patient, tolerant, motivating, trust-worthy, efficient, professional, creative and thoughtful while applying the plan. The low-achievers always need support and encouragement. They must feel sense of achievement and this needs a lot of drilling activities. They also need to improve their self-management skills. They also need daily evaluation and constant feedback. The plan should be specialized, concrete not abstract, based on what low -achievers can do, not on what we think they can do. It should be graded, systematically applied and it should aim at final results. There is not greater achievement in teaching than to help a child or a pupil gain self- confidence and begin learning again.

4. In not more than five lines write what you know about ‘Process approach’ and ‘Product approach’. Model Answer Process approach: The process approach focuses on the means whereby learning occurs. The process is more important than the product. In terms of writing, the important aspect is the way in which a complete text was created. The act of composing evolves through several stages as writers discover, through the process, what it is that they are trying to say. Product approach: The product approach focuses on the end result of teaching/learning. In terms of writing, there should be something ‘resulting’ from the composition lesson (e. g. letter, essay, story, etc. ). This result should be readable, grammatically correct and obeying discourse conventions relating to main points, supporting details and so on.

5. A successful head of staff must establish a good self-repertoire to gain his/her colleagues respect. Discuss while highlighting some of his/her desirable characteristics. Model Answer A good head of staff must be ……………… Innovative, knowledgeable and willing to share experiences as to enrich the teaching field. Inspiring and pushes others to move forward by his/her new ideas and enthusiasm for work. A good observer and a fair evaluator. A helpful guide and an effective trainer as pre-service and in-service training is the essence of his/her job. Patient and tolerant, knowing that lack of progress is a temporary situation and only through hard work and self -confidence, his/her goals will be achieved.

6. What is ‘repertoire’ and how can a teacher maintain and extend his repertoire? Model Answer For teachers, repertoire consists of the techniques and activities that they use in the classroom. A teacher can extend his repertoire by ……… reviewing teaching. following peer observation. caring for Interaction. growing professionally.

7. Write in brief what you know about ‘Authentic Text’. Model Answer It is a text which is not written or spoken for language teaching purposes. A newspaper article, a rock song, a novel, a radio interview and a traditional fairy tale are examples of authentic texts. A story written to exemplify the use of reported speech, a dialogue scripted to exemplify ways of inviting and a linguistically simplified version of a novel would not be authentic texts.

8. What are the features of a ‘good report’? Model Answer The objectives are set. Scrutinizing all feedback. Gathering-first hand evidence. Grouping. Recognizing irrelevances / redundancies. Distinguishing facts from personal opinions. Exploiting and giving examples. Wrapping up / drawing conclusions.

9. What does leadership mean to you? Model Answer The ability to empower. Taking up responsibility. Being fair and just. Giving a good model of work. Taking sacrifices. Holding good relations with others.

10. As a supervisor, you were asked to plan an effective ‘Remedial Programme’ for low-achievers. Name some rules or features needed to plan such a ‘Programme’. Model Answer Rules or features needed to plan an effective remedial programme are: Using variations in methods and techniques help make the plan successful with low-achievers. The programme should be based on what low-achievers can realistically achieve not on what we think they should achieve. "Reading and Writing" skills are the weakest skills of low-achievers, so a teacher has to focus on them when preparing his remedial plan. A teacher has to be supportive and encouraging because low-achievers need help and praise but he has to avoid over-praising and exaggeration. Planning every step carefully is of top importance in applying any remedial programme; insufficient planning will be confusing to lowachievers. Achieving and applying the remedial plan systematically aiming at end results or final targets, help make the remedial plan successful. Tests should be given in sections for low-achievers, and not all at once as a teacher does in a regular class, as that helps low-achievers achieve better results. Daily evaluation and constant feedback of achievement increase the feeling of success of any remedial plan for low-achievers. Sometimes, a teacher has to be patient and tolerant particularly with disruptive pupils, when applying low-achievers’ programme.

11. As head of staff, you are asked to give newly appointed teachers some tips on how to write effectively on the board. Mention them. Model Answer The writing should be large enough to be read from the back of the class. Writing has to be in a straight line. (Write across a section of the board not across all the board) Teachers have to stand in a way that does not hide the board. (half facing the board and half facing the class) Teachers have to talk while writing. (They should say aloud what they are writing, phrase by phrase, to involve the class)

12. Aptitude and Attitude are two different terms in the field TEFL studies. Show the difference. Model Answer Aptitude: The specific ability a learner has for learning a second language. This is separate from intelligence. Attitude: Learners possess sets of beliefs about language learning, the target culture, their culture, the teacher, the learning tasks, etc. These beliefs are referred to as attitude. They influence learning in a number of ways.