ABSTRACT
Effective monitoring and assessment should provide feedback on the progress pupils make, identify which areas need to be improved and identify how the student can achieve this. English staff are making time and space for target-setting and review to take place within the context of the lesson and also, by implication, setting a timescale for that review. Students have traditionally been assessed in numerical terms in terms of grades or in line with National Curriculum levels. Liaison with local further education colleges and indeed local major employers would help to dignify lower grade GCSE. Most students would agree that developing their oral skills is likely to be helpful in their future, and the English Speaking Board (ESB) examinations require thorough preparation in the skills they need. It's important to remember that students will have different strengths and that varying the mode of assessment will enable all pupils to demonstrate what they know, understand and can do.
