Paper 2 covers testing, materials and methodology: judge a test by its consequences for the learner, phrase material purposes as ‘To + infinitive’, and answer the methodology question in many short, theory-linked bullet points.
2012 format
Written by a long-serving Cambridge Diploma tutor and assessor, but for the 2012 exam. Mark allocations, task numbers and timings must be checked against the current Delta Handbook for Tutors and Candidates. Numbering already conflicts with Pinard (2013).
Evaluating a test (Part 5)
- Start from the learner’s consequences: can they do it? What happens to their placement and motivation?
- Each point: feature → helps or harms → effect on this learner.
- Concepts: face / content / construct / predictive validity, reliability (an impressionistic mark is unreliable), backwash, direct vs indirect tests, fresh starts (one task samples too narrowly).
- Her mnemonic “A little fat cat in Malfi” lists 18 checks (Administration, Level, Instructions, Test type, Length…).
Analysing coursebook materials (Part 6)
- Purposes as “To + infinitive”, each linked to the stated aim. If you can’t phrase it that way, it’s probably off target.
- Discuss only the activities the question names.
- Combinations: prepares for / extends / consolidates / balances.
- Assumptions about learning: state the assumption + one reason + the activity. Don’t evaluate it.
The methodology question (Part 7)
- ~15 short points (2 marks each), plus depth marks for theory and research.
- Link belief → practice → teacher role (guided discovery: discovered rules are retained better → teacher as facilitator).
- Suitability checklist: L1 groups, age, learner preferences, intensity, ESP, mixed ability, class size.
- Name theories: structuralism, functional-notional, lexical approach, behaviourism, cognitive code, input-based acquisition, noticing, constructivism. Krashen, Vygotsky, Maslow, Lenneberg, Gardner.
Apply in my context (Claude)
- The test-evaluation frame applies directly to your own placement tests and to RS Insight items: run each through validity, reliability and backwash before rollout.
- The methodology question rewards exactly what this vault stores: belief → practice → critique. Practise by picking any idea note and answering “What beliefs underlie this? Who would it not suit?”
Connections
DELTA Module 1 Paper 1 - task-by-task technique · Topic - SLA Theories Map · DELTA Module 3 - writing the needs analysis section