From Good to Great Elevating Your Assessment

From Good to Great: Elevating Your Assessment
Dr Zilal Meccawy discusses assessment in the context of English language teaching.
Assessment is a cornerstone of language education, but it can be a complex challenge, especially in university-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction. In this session, “From Good to Great: Elevating Your Assessment” (Part 1), we explore practical insights and tools to design effective, meaningful assessments that engage and motivate students while supporting language development.
Presented on World Teacher Day 2024 under the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” this talk delves into key assessment types—formative, summative, and alternative—and highlights essential principles like validity, reliability, and fairness. Discover strategies such as using authentic tasks, integrating self and peer assessments, and delivering constructive feedback to enhance learning outcomes.
We also address common challenges, including balancing language proficiency with content knowledge and meeting diverse student needs. Join us to gain actionable recommendations and engage in collaborative reflection, empowering you to refine your assessment practices and create a more impactful, learner-centered EFL educational experience.

About Dr Zilal Meccawy
Dr Zilal Meccawy is an Assistant Professor of Education at the English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Renaissance & Romantic Literature from the University of Liverpool, and a PhD from the University of Nottingham. She was the supervisor of the Professional Development Section for 3 years. Her research interests include Language Assessment & Testing, Culture & Language, Bilingualism, Technology in Language Education, & Psychology of the Language Learner.

This is the recording of a live Blackboard Collaborate session presented to English Language Institute faculty.
Produced by the Professional Development and Teacher Evaluation Committee, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University October 2024. https://eli.kau.edu.sa/
Video edited by Todd Colwell.