ELT 5

Bottom-up

Processing texts focusing on language: sounds, words, grammar.

Example 1: Focus on each word and try to understand the text.
Example 2: Listen to the individual sounds to identify the word.

Genre

A category of text type with particular conventions (e.g., narrative, report, email).

Example 1: This text is a formal report.
Example 2: Write a diary entry using personal reflections.

Buzz Group

A small group formed briefly during class for focused discussion. It promotes speaking and quick idea exchange.

Example 1: Students form buzz groups to share opinions after watching a video.
Example 2: In buzz groups, learners brainstorm vocabulary before reading a text.

Gist

The general idea or overall meaning of a text or listening passage, without focusing on details.

Example 1: Listen to the conversation and tell me what it's about.
Example 2: Students skim an article and summarize the main topic in one sentence.

Comprehension Questions

Questions designed to assess a learner's understanding of a text or listening passage.

Example 1: What did the man do after the phone call?
Example 2: Why is Maria worried?

Graded Readers

Adapted books written for language learners at specific proficiency levels. They use simplified vocabulary and grammar while preserving meaningful content.

Example 1: A B1 student reads "Jane Eyre" in a graded version with controlled language.
Example 2: The teacher assigns a Level 2 Graded Reader on Sherlock Holmes to practice extensive reading.

Direct Item

An item that directly tests the skill it is intended to measure (e.g., writing an essay). It's used to test skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing).

Example 1: Write a paragraph describing a photo.
Example 2: Give a short presentation on your favorite book.

Indirect Item

An item that tests a skill indirectly (e.g., multiple-choice grammar test for writing, key word transformation).

Example 1: Choose the best sentence to complete the paragraph.
Example 2: Select the correct verb form from a list.

Extensive Reading/Listening

Done for pleasure/general understanding.

Example 1: Read this story and tell me what happened overall.
Example 2: Watch this video and share your impressions.

Intensive Reading/Listening

Done for detailed or specific information, specific sub-skills of scanning (charts, bottom-up, inferring, etc.) are required.

Example 1: Listen again and write the exact number of people involved.
Example 2: What word did she use to describe her feeling?

Formative Assessment

Ongoing assessment during the learning process used to give feedback and guide improvement. It is not usually graded.

Example 1: A teacher checks students' understanding with exit tickets aftera vocabulary lesson.
Example 2: Mid-lesson, the teacher asks questions to see if learners have grasped past simple vs. present perfect.

Pre-teaching

Introducing key vocabulary or concepts before reading or listening.

Example 1: Let's learn the word "habitat" before we listen.
Example 2: Here are some key phrases you might hear.

Reliability

The consistency and stability of a test's results over time or across raters (people who mark the test).

Example 1: Two teachers give similar marks for the same writing.
Example 2: A student scores similarly across different versions of a test.

Test Validity

The extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure and is therefore fair in its marking.

Example 1: A speaking test should measure actual spoken communication.
Example 2: A reading test should assess comprehension, not personal opinions.

Rising intonation

A type of intonation typically used in questions or unfinished thoughts.

Example 1: Did you see him?
Example 2: You're going, right?

Tonic Syllable

The syllable in an intonation unit that carries the most stress.

Example 1: In "She WAS there," "was" is the tonic syllable.
Example 2: In "I THINK so," "think" is the tonic syllable.

Scanning

Reading or listening for specific information, often ignoring the rest.

Example 1: Find the train departure time.
Example 2: Look for the price of the item.

Top-down

Processing a text using prior knowledge, context, or expectations.

Example 1: From the title, what do you expect the article to say?
Example 2: Use your background knowledge to predict content.

Scorer Reliability

The degree to which different raters or the same rater at different times give consistent scores to the same performance.

Example 1: Two examiners give very similar scores to the same student's oral exam = good scorer reliability.
Example 2: A teacher marks the same essay differently on two occasions = low scorer reliability.

Skimming

Reading or listening quickly to get the gist or main idea.

Example 1: What's the article about?
Example 2: Identify the general idea of the podcast.

Washback Effect

The influence that a test has on teaching and learning. This can be positive (encouraging real-world language use) or negative (promoting plain memorization).

Example 1: A test that includes speaking tasks motivates the teacher to focus more on communication in class.
Example 2: If an exam focuses heavily on grammar gaps, the teacher may spend less time on listening or fluency.

Written English

Language used for writing, often more formal and structured than spoken English.

Example 1: Use paragraphs and formal vocabulary.
Example 2: Avoid contractions and colloquial phrases.

Summative Assessment

Assessment given at the end of a course or unit to evaluate what learners have achieved. Usually graded.

Example 1: A final grammar and writing exam after a 10-week course.
Example 2: An oral presentation assessed at the end ofthe speaking module.

Tag Question

A short question added to the end of a statement, usually to seek confirmation or agreement.

Example 1: You're coming to class tomorrow, aren't you?
Example 2: She doesn't like speaking in public, does she?

Compound Noun Stress

The stress pattern in compound nouns (e.g., 'greenhouse' vs. 'green house').

Example 1: The stress falls on the first word: "BLACKboard".
Example 2: Compare "GREENhouse" vs. "green HOUSE".