| EDITORIAL |
| Quality in education has been the no. 1 slogan for so long now that
if quality could be assured by merely talking about it, there would be
no need for further talk. Quality, however, is difficult to achieve, the
process leading up to it is hard and often painful since sacrifice is required
from all parties involved in it. It is especially painful to see the already
established quality slip out of our hands as a result of changed circumstances,
bad decisions, carelessness, or the ignorance and irresponsibility of others.
Why is there concern for quality in English language teaching? The question of concern usually arises when what we are concerned for is in danger or is being threatened. Many authors of this volume share this concern and by putting their thoughts on paper they inform about and raise awareness of a number of key issues. Our Feature Article is the written version of one of the plenary talks given at the 11th IATEFL-H Conference in Nyíregyháza. The author, Lukács Krisztina, has taught both children and adults, both in the state and in the private sector, and has been involved in teacher education both as a university instructor and as a school based mentor. We had better not turn a deaf ear, if she, with her experience and professional expertise, is ringing the alarm bell. All of us involved in EFL might feel that we are not reaching the results we would like to, but seeing the actual figures in comparison to European standards is alarming. Through a systematic and thorough analysis of facts and figures the author points out the ills and defects of our foreign language teaching and teacher training and calls for action on the part of teacher education and top educational policy makers. The empirical Research Paper in this issue, also based on a talk originally presented at the Nyíregyháza conference, was born out of concern for the quality of the new school leaving exam in English. The good thing about exams is that their quality can be measured and expressed in numbers by calculating reliability, validity, levels of difficulty, discrimination, or facility value. The author, Csépes Ildikó, one of the members of the Examination Reform Project, takes the reader step by step through the process of checking the validity of a small part of the matriculation exam, the paired oral task. By virtue of making her research available to those outside the Project we would like to achieve two aims: first to assure those in doubt that the paired form of oral testing is a valid and accurate measure of a student's oral proficiency, and second, to provide a good, illustrative example of research into the validity of a test type. Now all there is left to be concerned about is whether the exam will be implemented in the proposed form with all the necessary conditions provided or ... A third article submitted by an IATEFL-H conference presenter can be found in the My Classroom section. Clive Oxenden's concern is the per definition dull and uninteresting nature of advanced classes and course materials. Although the text cannot fully render the lively atmosphere of the plenary presentation at Nyíregyháza with all the humour and laughter that filled the lecture hall, the ideas and suggestions offered by the author will surely liven up the classes of those who try them out. Though novELTy does not normally publish interviews, an occasional exception is made if the person interviewed would otherwise not offer to share his views with the readership on the pages of this journal. Such an illustrious person is Professor H. G. Wells, the world known linguist and phonetician, who was interviewed by Varga György on `RP,' phonetic transcription and pronouncing dictionaries. The present issue of novELTy contains more Book Reviews than ever, calling attention to a wide variety of materials to be used in teacher education or in language teaching. Among the topics you will find second language acquisition, the role of affect, translation, testing reading, communicative activities, the use of drama, innovation in teacher education and teacher development and a new course set for teenagers. In the Events section we report on a recent conference and a successful competition. In the IATEFL section please read the President's annual report, and meet the new committee members elected at the AGM in January. The issue closes with the usual British Council information section including an Events Calendar and Examination Information. Make sure to also check out the Bulletin Board for an exciting job offer! If we have managed to whet you appetite, there is quite a bit of food for thought on the pages that follow. Have a good read. Edit H. Kontra and Judit Kormos Editors |