Adults only -- teachers, in particular -- Am teaching adults. Student doesn't understand test is timed.?

Question

Student is older woman from Middle Eastern country. She became angry when asked for test back. It was the end of class and she had been given extra time. In her mind, she had been "promised" that she would be given time to finish the test. She was embarrassed at not having completed the test. But all students are treated equally and the class was ending. Suggestions? Thanks.

Thank you for your suggestions relating to writing down the time the test ends. That gives clarity to the students.

Answer 1

Take her aside after/before class and explain 2 her that the tests r timed, and that she has 2 give them back 2 u when the time is up. Try 2 exlain 2 her that u did not promise that she could finish, but that u gave her a little extra time. Try 2 reason w/her that it would not be fare 2 the other students if she got 2 finish hers by going over time! Hope this helps!

Answer 2

1. Write the ending test time on the board.
2. Give the class 15, 10, 5 minute warnings.
3. Use a visual timer to show her how much time is left on the test.

Being from a Middle East country is not an excuse, she was given just as much, if not more, opportunity as everyone else, and I'm pretty sure they tell time the same way over there that we do here.

Depending on the situation, if you want her to have even more time, maybe she can finish next class, or have a certain amount of time during next class to finish, or maybe she can meet you at a set time and place before the class is over. Just keep in mind that that gives her extra time to look up anything she didn't know, which is an advantage that no one else had. Maybe she can re-do the test, if she does poorly and you allow everyone else to do it, or maybe she can correct the wrong questions for partial credit.

Teaching adults can be harder than teaching kids, and they can be just as obnoxious and badly behaved, if not worse than kids. Be consistent with your policies and stick to your guns. Good luck!

Answer 3

1. Explain there are 30 questions but only 1 hour to do the test, that means about 2 minutes per question.
2. Teach test taking strategies: Remind them to skip a question they can't answer to come back to LATER. Also if they still don't have an answer to choose the most logical one, or approximate. Tell them it is OK if they don't have an answer, you test so you know what you need to teach, repeat or explain better...(Asian have a deep sense to protect their honor and to achieve highly)
3. Practice by doing a mock test...using a CD player like you would for musical chairs. Tell the students you will place a test sheet face down on the table, when the music starts they turn over the page, start the test. When the music stops, they must quickly flip the page back face down. Make it fun! Repeat several times until they understand that most of us will be caught off-guard, but it's OK.

Answer 4

I have taught adults as well as elementary and high school. Don't be fooled by the impression that this lady is giving you. She is using her cultural back ground as a defense. Because she is learning the language doesn't mean that she doesn't understand "time."
Was the time limit written on her exam paper? If not you should do that the next time.
No doubt she may have been embarrassed by the fact that she didn't finish the test. Schooling in Middle East Countries is very competitive and failing is very humiliating for those students.

Answer 5

In that situations, it appears you did the right thing. If your guidelines where clearly expressed (as to the test being timed) then nothing more needs to be done. In the future, you may want to write down the test end time and have her put it on her desk and let her know that regardless of where she is in the test, "that" is the time that the testing session ends.

Answer 6

Talk to her and explain it to her that tests are supposed to be timed. Make sure she understands.