What if all teachers knew how to accurately assess English Language Learners true abilities and knowledge?

At Hartwell The Educators University, all graduates are skilled in accurately assessing the progress of English Language Learners.

Assessing ELL Student Progress: A Comprehensive Approach

As educators working with English Language Learners (ELLs), it’s crucial to understand that traditional assessments may not accurately reflect their true abilities and knowledge. ELLs often face linguistic barriers that can hinder their performance on written tests, which is why we must adopt a more comprehensive and equitable approach to assessing their progress.

One effective strategy is to incorporate performance-based assessments, such as oral presentations, role-plays, and summarizing texts. These authentic tasks allow ELLs to demonstrate their understanding without being limited by their written language proficiency (Gottlieb, 2016). Additionally, maintaining student portfolios with samples of their work over time provides a holistic picture of their growth across different language domains and content areas (Herrera et al., 2018).

Regular observations and one-on-one conferences are also invaluable tools for assessing ELL students’ progress. These interactions allow us to observe their language use, probe their understanding through questioning, and provide immediate feedback (Gottlieb, 2016). Furthermore, using rubrics with clearly defined criteria helps us evaluate their work consistently and transparently, focusing on relevant learning goals rather than language barriers (Herrera et al., 2018).

Frequent formative assessments, such as exit tickets and collaborative activities, give us ongoing insights into ELLs’ comprehension and areas needing more support, guiding our future instruction (Gottlieb, 2016). Additionally, analyzing their annual English language proficiency scores across domains (reading, writing, speaking, listening) helps us plan differentiated language and content instruction tailored to their level (Herrera et al., 2018).

By adopting a variety of assessment methods that minimize linguistic barriers and provide multiple ways for ELLs to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, we can accurately gauge their progress and ensure they receive the support they need to thrive academically.

 

About Hartwell – The Educators University

Hartwell is dedicated to empowering K-12 education leaders by fostering the growth of their people into competent and compassionate educators and leaders. Our mission is to ensure every child is taught by educators trained from a biblical worldview, emphasizing both excellence and empathy. Through our affordable online pathways to education degrees, we make careers in K-12 education accessible to everyone, enabling a new generation of teachers and leaders to inspire and educate future generations.

Discover more about our programs and scholarship opportunities at Hartwell.

 

Sources:

– Gottlieb, M. (2016). Assessing English language learners: Bridges to educational equity. Corwin Press.

– Herrera, S. G., Perez, D. R., & Escamilla, K. (2018). Teaching reading to English language learners: Differentiated literacies. Pearson.