CELTA CELTA Assessment & Feedback 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'formative assessment' mean in an EFL classroom observed on CELTA?
- A final graded test at the end of a course
- Ongoing assessment used to inform and improve teaching and learning (Correct answer)
- A placement test given before the course begins
- An assessment conducted only by external examiners
Correct answer: Ongoing assessment used to inform and improve teaching and learning
Formative assessment is continuous and used to shape instruction, contrasting with summative assessment which evaluates final achievement.
Question 2: In CELTA observed lessons, what does a tutor mean when they write 'check concept' on feedback?
- The trainee should review their lesson plan
- The trainee needs to use Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) to verify understanding (Correct answer)
- The trainee should ask learners to write the rule in their notebooks
- The trainee must retest students at the next lesson
Correct answer: The trainee needs to use Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) to verify understanding
A tutor's note to 'check concept' means the trainee should use CCQs to confirm learners have understood the meaning of the target language.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a well-formed Concept Checking Question (CCQ) for the sentence 'She had already eaten by the time he arrived'?
- Did she eat? Yes or no?
- Did she eat before or after he arrived? (Correct answer)
- What is the past perfect tense?
- Can you repeat the sentence?
Correct answer: Did she eat before or after he arrived?
A good CCQ targets the specific meaning of the language item — here, the sequence of events expressed by the past perfect.
Question 4: When a CELTA trainee receives a 'to standard' grade on a teaching practice, what does this mean?
- The lesson was perfect and requires no improvement
- The lesson met the minimum required competency level for that point in the course (Correct answer)
- The trainee must redo the lesson
- The lesson was graded fail but borderline pass
Correct answer: The lesson met the minimum required competency level for that point in the course
A 'to standard' grade means the trainee demonstrated the competencies expected at that stage of the CELTA course.
Question 5: What is the purpose of 'peer observation' tasks on the CELTA course?
- To allow trainees to grade each other formally
- To help trainees develop reflective skills by observing and discussing colleagues' lessons (Correct answer)
- To reduce the workload of CELTA tutors
- To identify the weakest trainee in the group
Correct answer: To help trainees develop reflective skills by observing and discussing colleagues' lessons
Peer observation builds trainees' reflective practice by exposing them to different teaching approaches and encouraging analytical discussion.
Question 6: What does a CELTA trainee's 'self-evaluation' after a teaching practice session typically involve?
- Grading themselves using the official Cambridge rubric
- Reflecting on what went well and what they would change, linked to specific lesson moments (Correct answer)
- Writing a summary of the lesson for the learners
- Submitting a formal complaint if feedback was negative
Correct answer: Reflecting on what went well and what they would change, linked to specific lesson moments
Self-evaluation on CELTA involves honest reflection on lesson effectiveness, identifying strengths and areas to develop for future lessons.
CELTA CELTA Assessment & Feedback 2
What does 'formative assessment' mean in an EFL classroom observed on CELTA?