According to the U.S. Department of Education, English Language Learners (ELL) enrollment in K-12 schools in the United States has increased by more than 1 million students since 2000. As this subpopulation of students grows, it is important to consider their unique needs when creating and administering assessments.
Research suggests that assessments designed primarily for native English speakers are not as reliable for ELL students. Linguistic complexities unrelated to the content measured, test anxiety and vocabulary limitations can all limit the effectiveness of standardized tests.
Organizations like Educational Testing Service have established rigorous guidelines for planning, distributing, communicating and evaluating assessments for ELL students to account for these limitations and ensure equitable assessment strategies. However, most of these guidelines are geared toward standardized assessments. ELL students are constantly learning new vocabulary, linguistic skills and cultural norms throughout the year. For this reason, it is important to also conduct informal assessments regularly, tracking student progress over time.
Here are a few classroom techniques and methods that often work well for ELL students:
- Performance Assessments
Standardized tests tend to rely on written skills rather than oral skills. One way to monitor ELL students’ progress is to let their oral skills shine through presentations. This can also help get around the test anxiety ELL students often experience with standardized tests.
Performance-based assessments can include a wide range of tasks, depending on the content and skills being assessed. Performance assessments can include role playing, interviewing, oral reports, summarizing texts, retelling stories, brainstorming and completing dialogue. Performance assessments can also be a form of learning, as students who perform together are encouraged to learn from each other’s mistakes and successes.
- Gamification
Gamification is an increasingly popular concept in today’s teaching. The concept of “gamification” refers to the use of game elements in non-gaming contexts, such as in the classroom. While many suggestions for gaming in the ESL classroom center on gamified learning, some studies suggests it can also be helpful in assessment, particularly when the video game features tools that monitor student progress in low-stakes settings, such as leaderboards.
Assessment gamification does not have to be digital. Games can be as simple as charades, scavenger hunts or Pictionary-esque competitions. These types of games are great for assessing concepts, vocabulary and even mathematical skills.
- Portfolios
Students who are developing multiple languages can benefit from portfolio assessments that allow them to gather authentic evidence of understanding. As Professor Kevin Wong shares in an article for Edutopia, “According to principles in second language writing research, portfolios can break down the writing process by content and language to better engage English language learners. This makes writing much less daunting and allows learners to become more aware of their own development as writers.”
Portfolios can include a wide array of items, ranging from student work samples to recordings of performances, checklists, rating sheets and more. While the types of items included depend on what is being assessed, Dr. Wong suggests having students take an active part in setting goals for their portfolios, helping them monitor those goals and encouraging reflection on their work.
- Conferences
Conferences with students can provide them with opportunities to explain and share what they have learned. Conferencing also offers educators a chance to provide authentic, real-time feedback that addresses student questions. According to educational consultant Valentina Gonzalez, “When we work with students who are learning language and learning to become stronger readers, it’s important to confer more frequently than usual. The more time ELLs can get one-on-one or in a small group with their teacher, the better.”
- Rubrics
Whichever approaches to formal or informal assessment you choose, rubrics are an effective way to provide a consistent criterion for grading and feedback. This is particularly relevant for ELL students, as rubrics enable educators to focus exclusively on relevant learning goals and ignore irrelevant factors. Rubrics also offer a way for teachers to provide feedback to students, and a way for students to take ownership of their learning by using them to evaluate their own work.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Master of Education in Teacher Leadership with a Specialization in ESL program.
Sources:
Edutopia: A Valuable Tool for English Language Learners
Educational Testing Service: Guidelines for the Assessment of English Language Learners
U.S. Department of Education: English Learners: Demographic Trends
Valentina ESL: Serving Multilingual Learners of All Ages: Conferring with ELLs
