Language Assessment

                Language Assessment is an ongoing process throughout the year that includes informal and formal assessments.  There are many different types of assessments that are done.  Informal assessment is one of the most important because it shows the process in which a student is learning.  This can encompass everything that happens in a classroom on a day to day basis.  It’s understanding where every student is based on their comments, questions, and the activities they participate in during class.  Written work may be assessed by the student, classmates, and the teacher.  Informal assessment can be as simple as an incidental, unplanned comment about how a student is doing (Brown 446).  Formal assessments such as portfolios, permanent products, and tests are also great ways to keep track of a student’s progress.  Tests can help a teacher get a general understanding of what concepts students understand and which ones need more practice.  However, it’s not as authentic as informal assessments and should not be the only form of assessment that is being done in the classroom.  Tests should always be practical, valid, and reliable.  Language assessment has become much more communicative, learner-centered, and performance based however there are still some challenges to face (Brown 457).  Standardized exams are only a snapshot of what the student knows at that specific time.  Tests should be a tool to help students learn.  The students should know exactly what the test will cover and which portions are more important than others.  The students should also receive feedback on how they did well and how they can improve.