Formative Assessment In Second Language Learning A Systematic Review And An Annotated Bibliography

Throughout its whole history, most research conducted in language assessment refers to testing. It is only since 2000 that language formative assessment started being recorded in research publications. This book tells the story of language formative assessment in two ways, the one complementing the other: in the forms of a systematic review and a descriptive and evaluative annotated bibliography, from the very first published work on the subject in 2000 to 2020. While the systematic review gives the story of language formative assessment in a chronological order and gives an overview of different aspects, the annotated bibliography gives more details for research work published. Τhe main purposes of the book are to (1) give a substantial background in the area, (2) describe how this topic has been approached, (3) contribute to the development of critical thinking, (4) help in establishing the relevance and quality of the annotated material, and (5) facilitate language formative researchers as well as practitioners to form an overview of the research in the area during the specific period under study. The book may be of interest to language practitioners, researchers, teacher trainers, and policy makers. The authors hope that the present publication will be viewed as a valuable contribution to the history of language formative assessment.

Many research studies show that the use of technology inside and outside classrooms makes teaching and learning more engaging and motivating. Technology can provide learners with endless opportunities and can improve the learning experience, simplify access to educational resources, enhance autonomous learning, meet individual learning needs, and prepare the learners for future career success when using it to foster 21st-century skills. However, the range and number of technologies currently available can yield challenges for educators if they do not know how to effectively integrate them into their teaching pedagogy. Policies, Practices, and Protocols for the Implementation of Technology Into Language Learning discusses the skills necessary for successful technology use in education and examines technology tools that assist in teaching different languages with a focus on English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Covering a range of topics such as reading, writing, and integrated language skills, this book is ideal for instructors, policymakers, administrators, researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students.

The volume unites research and practice on integrating language learning, teaching and assessment at preschool and early school age. It includes chapters written by experts in the field who have studied some of the very youngest (pre-primary) children through to those up to the age of 12, in a variety of private and state contexts across Europe. The collection makes a much-needed contribution to the subject of appropriate assessment for children with the focus of many chapters being classroom-based assessment, particularly formative assessment, or the case for developing assessment skills in relation to even the youngest children. As a whole, the book provides useful case study insights for policymakers, teacher educators, researchers and postgraduate students with interest in or responsibility for how children are assessed in their language learning. It also provides practical ideas for practitioners who wish to implement greater integration of assessment and learning in their own contexts.

This book presents an overview of revisiting the assessment of language abilities. It also showcases how the measurement of such constructs can result in negative or positive washback and how outcomes might be conducive to repercussions that decide on the future of many stakeholders. The 23 chapters were selected among tens of chapters received from different contexts that addressed the issue of revisiting the assessment of language abilities, such as Tunisia, Ukraine, Algeria, Russia, KSA, Sudan, Egypt, Canada, Kurdistan, UK, USA, Iran, Turkey, etc. These contexts have highlighted the necessity to revisit the different constructs which should be assessed with a clear and straightforward foundation on students’ learning objectives and their actual language ability. To do so, most of the chapters present hands-on use of relevant statistical tests that might serve in revisiting the construct definition both theoretically and operationally. Perhaps the sole and intricate question that the authors of these contributions ask is what it means to revisit the assessment of the construct of individualized language ability and how. In addition, the book accentuates the momentousness and significance of reflecting on test fairness and validation as the mainspring and backbone for democratization of assessment. This book appeals to a broad readership, such as English Language Teaching (ELT) practitioners, language teachers, students, testing organizations, policy-makers, test designers, writers of test specifications, testing experts, researchers, program evaluators, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as well as other international contexts.

The annotated bibliography describes foreign language assessment instruments currently used in elementary and middle schools. The instruments are drawn from a wide variety of program models: Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES), middle school sequential instruction, and immersion (total, two-way, partial). The bibliography has six sections: assessment instruments; program evaluation instruments; classroom assessment activities; sample assessment instruments; selected related resources; and selected commercially available language tests. An index of instruments according to purpose, language, and grade level is included. Descriptions of assessment instruments and activities and sample assessments were collected from teachers, schools, school districts, state education offices, and educational research organizations. In each section, materials are listed in alphabetical order according to language. The major emphasis is on French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Also included are Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, Chuukese (Lagoon), Gallego, Haitian-Creole, Indonesian, Korean, Latin, Modern Greek, Navajo, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, and Welsh. Each entry includes information on availability, current users, language program type, intended grade level, intended test use, skills tested, test author, publications date, test cost, length, test materials, format, scoring method, a description, test development and technical information, parallel versions in other languages, and a contact person. An introductory section gives an overview of the bibliography's contents and notes on selecting an assessment instrument. (MSE)

This book provides language teachers with guidelines to develop suitable listening tests.