STRATEGIC APPLICATION OF TESTING AND EVALUATION MECHANICS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH.

Abstract

This thesis is based on a case study carried out at the University or Ruhuna. Faculty or Agriculture. Emphasizing the strategic value or testing and evaluation mechanics. this thesis makes an effort to identify the decisive role evaluation can play in a teaching-learning process and makes a proposition for conferring on it the recognition it deserves in a teaching-learning programme. Moreover. it demonstrates how a writing syllabus gets activated through the proper treatment of testing and evaluation in all stages the leaners are supposed to proceed through in an effort to develop their writing in English. In that sense testing and evaluation is recognized as the measurement or the progress the students make individually as well as group-wise. On the whole. the thesis attempts to recognize new facets or evaluation in the identification or learning styles and in the promotion or learning strategies in a humanistic approach to learning English as an international language. This thesis introduces existing second language learning theories with special reference to the barriers that learners have in learning writing in English as a second language. It also highlights the need or a viable strategy for developing writing in English as a second language. Further. this thesis studies theoretical literature on testing and evaluation and present the impact or a strong strategic testing and evaluation application mechanism on a programme or developing writing in English in a model educational setting. Here the major findings in the literary review with regard to the strategic application or testing and evaluation mechanism in developing writing skills in English are discussed.