How is an ELL's level of language proficiency determined?
How do you modify your assessments to evaluate ELLs understanding of content?
If a non-English-speaking person is being tested for placement in the right level of ESL, for example, the first thing I've seen teachers do is to speak to the person in English with a picture book in hand. It doesn't take long to determine if the person truly has no English in his/her background or has a little or how much.
There are several tests here:
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS379US379&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=testing+for+esl+placement
The teacher modifies assessments once he/she figures out how much the person is able to respond to in English. Directions are usually given in the testing procedures.
An English Language Learner's (ELL) level of language proficiency is typically determined through language assessments. These assessments evaluate various aspects of language skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Here are a few common methods for determining an ELL's language proficiency level:
1. Home Language Survey: At the beginning of the academic year, schools often administer a home language survey to identify students who may require ELL services. This survey collects information about the student's primary language and exposure to English.
2. Initial Proficiency Assessment: Once identified as an ELL, students may take an initial proficiency assessment. These assessments can vary depending on the school or district, but they often evaluate listening, speaking, and basic reading and writing skills. The results provide a baseline of the student's language proficiency level.
3. Standardized Language Proficiency Tests: Schools may also administer standardized language proficiency tests, such as the WIDA ACCESS or the TOEFL. These tests measure language proficiency across different proficiency levels and provide a more in-depth evaluation of a student's abilities.
4. Ongoing Classroom Assessments: Teachers continuously monitor and assess ELLs' language proficiency through classroom activities and assessments. These informal assessments may include observations, conversations, and written assignments. Ongoing assessments help track students' progress over time.
To modify assessments to evaluate an ELL's understanding of content, teachers can consider the following strategies:
1. Provide Bilingual Supports: ELLs may benefit from having access to bilingual dictionaries, glossaries, or translated instructions to assist with understanding the content being assessed.
2. Simplify Language: When creating assessments, teachers can simplify the language by using clear and concise instructions, avoiding complex sentence structures, and selecting vocabulary that aligns with the student's language proficiency level.
3. Accommodate for Limited English Proficiency: Depending on the student's proficiency level, teachers may provide accommodations such as extended time to complete assessments, allowing the use of graphic organizers or visuals, or providing sentence stems or word banks to support written responses.
4. Incorporate Visuals and Contextual Support: Including visuals, real-life examples, or context-related materials in assessments can help ELLs better understand the content being assessed and make connections to their own experiences.
5. Use Alternative Assessment Formats: Offering various assessment formats like oral presentations, group projects, or concept maps can allow ELLs to demonstrate their understanding in ways that leverage their strengths.
By implementing these modifications, teachers can better evaluate ELLs' understanding of content while considering their language limitations and creating a more inclusive assessment environment.