Shadowing Practice: Should we get rid of standardized testing? - Arlo Kempf - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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The first standardized tests that we know of were administered in China over 2,000 years ago during the Han dynasty.
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The first standardized tests that we know of were administered in China over 2,000 years ago during the Han dynasty.
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Chinese officials used them to determine aptitude for various government posts.
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The subject matter included philosophy, farming, and even military tactics.
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Standardized tests continued to be used around the world for the next two millennia, and today, they're used for everything from evaluating stair climbs for firefighters in France to language examinations for diplomats in Canada to students in schools.
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Some standardized tests measure scores only in relation to the results of other test takers.
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Others measure performances on how well test takers meet predetermined criteria.
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So the stair climb for the firefighter could be measured by comparing the time of the climb to that of all other firefighters.
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This might be expressed in what many call a bell curve.
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Or it could be evaluated with reference to set criteria, such as carrying a certain amount of weight a certain distance up a certain number of stairs.
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Similarly, the diplomat might be measured against other test-taking diplomats, or against a set of fixed criteria, which demonstrate different levels of language proficiency.
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And all of these results can be expressed using something called a percentile.
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If a diplomat is in the 70th percentile, 70% of test takers scored below her.
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If she scored in the 30th percentile, 70% of test takers scored above her.
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Although standardized tests are sometimes controversial, they're simply a tool.
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As a thought experiment, think of a standardized test as a ruler.
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A ruler's usefulness depends on two things.
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First, the job we ask it to do.
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Our ruler can't measure the temperature outside or how loud someone is singing.
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Second, the ruler's usefulness depends on its design.
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Say you need to measure the circumference of an orange.
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Our ruler measures length, which is the right quantity, but it hasn't been designed with the flexibility required for the task at hand.
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So, if standardized tests are given the wrong job, or aren't designed properly, they may end up measuring the wrong things.
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In the case of schools, students with test anxiety may have trouble performing their best on a standardized test, not because they don't know the answers, but because they're feeling too nervous to share what they've learned.
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Students with reading challenges may struggle with the wording of a math problem, so their test results may better reflect their literacy rather than numeracy skills.
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And students who were confused by examples on tests that contain unfamiliar cultural references may do poorly, telling us more about the test taker's cultural familiarity than their academic learning.
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In these cases, the tests may need to be designed differently.
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Standardized tests can also have a hard time measuring abstract characteristics or skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
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If we design a test poorly, or ask it to do the wrong job, or a job it's not very good at, the results may not be reliable or valid.
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Reliability and validity are two critical ideas for understanding standardized tests.
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To understand the difference between them, we can use the metaphor of two broken thermometers.
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An unreliable thermometer gives you a different reading each time you take your temperature, and the reliable but invalid thermometer is consistently ten degrees too hot.
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Validity also depends on accurate interpretations of results.
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If people say results of a test mean something they don't, that test may have a validity problem.
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Just as we wouldn't expect a ruler to tell us how much an elephant weighs, or what it had for breakfast, we can't expect standardized tests alone to reliably tell us how smart someone is, how diplomats will handle a tough situation, or how brave a firefighter might turn out to be.
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So standardized tests may help us learn a little about a lot of people in a short time, but they usually can't tell us a lot about a single person.
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Many social scientists worry about test scores resulting in sweeping and often negative changes for test takers, sometimes with long-term life consequences.
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We can't blame the tests, though.
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It's up to us to use the right tests for the right jobs, and to interpret results appropriately.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will enhance your English speaking skills by exploring the topic of standardized testing, as discussed by Arlo Kempf in his engaging video. You will learn how standardized tests have evolved historically, their various applications today, and the implications they hold for different individuals. This lesson will not only provide you with insights into the purpose and limitations of standardized testing but also strengthen your vocabulary and improve your ability to articulate your thoughts on this important educational topic. Prepare to practice IELTS speaking skills as you articulate your opinions and experiences related to testing and assessment.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Standardized tests: Exams administered in a consistent manner across different test takers.
  • Aptitude: The natural ability to do something.
  • Percentile: A measurement indicating the relative standing of a score in a statistical distribution.
  • Reliability: The consistency of a test's results over time.
  • Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.
  • Test anxiety: The nervousness experienced before or during an exam.
  • Cultural references: Elements in tests that may relate to specific cultural knowledge.
  • Abstract characteristics: Non-tangible skills like creativity and critical thinking.

Practice Tips

To maximize your learning, engage in shadow speech while watching the video. Start by listening to a segment of the discussion on standardized testing, then pause the video to repeat what you just heard. Focus on mimicking the tone and speed of Arlo Kempf to develop your fluency. Since his delivery is clear and educational, it serves as perfect material for IELTS speaking practice. Aim for phrases that contain the vocabulary we discussed earlier; this will improve your ability to use them naturally in conversation.

Consider breaking the transcript into manageable sections, shadowing each part before moving on to the next. This technique will help embed the language in your memory. Additionally, approach your practice session as if you were explaining the concepts to someone else; this method will reinforce your understanding and conversational skills. Make sure to utilize a shadowing site that allows you to slow down playback if needed, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with complex vocabulary. By consistently practicing english speaking through this method, you will see significant improvements in your ability to discuss academic topics confidently.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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