Carolyn, one of the theories of education in the US says you must start out by telling the students what they need to know before you teach.  And what better way than to show them the test first?  That way you have introduced the information which you consider important and will no doubt be on the test!!  Then you start teaching and you know what the students don't know.  For sure.  You don't start by thinking they know very little which of course they do.   It is like an outline.  It is not the way I taught but I can't say anything about different philosopies of teaching.  We spent hours discussing "learning styles" in conferences and workshops.  It is not fun. In music it is very difficult to isolate exactly how one learns.  No doubt the same is true in languages.  There are things one needs to know for survival and things one needs to know for social engagement.  Which is the way one gets through each day.  I can't say what your teacher has in mind.  Maybe you will look back on this and say good things.:)  Or maybe not.  Be positive.  And once you get some real life experience you will have a different idea.
Doug