ERIC Number: EJ1279471
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jan
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0261-4448
EISSN: N/A
Assessing Young Learners' Foreign Language Abilities
Nikolov, Marianne; Timpe-Laughlin, Veronika
Language Teaching, v54 n1 p1-37 Jan 2021
Given the exponential growth in the popularity of early foreign language programs, coupled with an emphasis of evidence-based instruction, assessing young learners' (YLs) foreign language abilities has moved to center stage. This article canvasses how the field of assessing young learners of foreign languages has evolved over the past two decades. The review offers insights into how and why the field has developed, how constructs have been defined and operationalized, what language proficiency frameworks have been used, why children were assessed, what aspects of their foreign language proficiency have been assessed, who was involved in the assessment, and how the results have been used. By surveying trends in foreign language (FL) and content-based language learning programs involving children between the ages of 3 and 14, the article highlights research into assessment of and for learning, and critically discusses areas such as large-scale assessments and proficiency examinations, comparative and experimental studies, the impact of assessment, teachers' beliefs and assessment practices, young learners' test-taking strategies, age-appropriate tasks, alternative and technology-mediated assessment, as well as game-based assessments. The final section of the article highlights where more research is needed, thus outlining potential future directions for the field.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Measurement, Second Language Programs, Evidence Based Practice, Language Proficiency, Educational Trends, Trend Analysis, Content and Language Integrated Learning, Evaluation Methods, Preschool Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Language Tests, Assistive Technology, Game Based Learning, Task Analysis, Student Evaluation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A