Alternative Assessment in ELT

Abstract

Alternative assessment procedures have so far been researched and implemented widely both in mainstream education and in second/foreign language (L2) education for decades. In response to the shortcomings of more traditional assessment procedures, L2 professionals have included alternatives in their assessment processes. More specifically, a wide variety of alternative procedures such as portfolios and projects have been employed by English language teaching (ELT) professionals. Based on this framework, the current chapter initially defines and conceptualizes alternative assessment. It then underscores the complementary nature of standardized and alternative assessment and discusses the validity and reliability issues. Following this, the chapter introduces alternative assessment types and discusses them in relation to language learning and teaching. Upon underlining the benefits of and challenges to the use of alternative assessment particularly in the process of English language learning and teaching, the chapter finally provides some implications and future directions.