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Benchmark alternative

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Language teachers must now sit an assessment test. While the results of such tests may reveal the language level of a teacher, they do not show whether a person is capable of teaching.

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This new requirement increases the burden on teachers who already have to undertake many courses to meet government demands. Making teachers sit such 'benchmark' tests affects morale further and, ironically, may make teachers less effective in class.

There is also a question of dignity here. Some people argue that as they already hold a teaching certificate, they should not need to prove their credentials. Now the Government has said this is not enough.

An alternative way to assess standards would be to assign examiners to schools to observe how classes are conducted. In this way, teachers' weaknesses could be spotted and corrected, and the quality of teaching improved.

ALEX CHEUNG

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Shamshuipo

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