Chapter 13 - Foreign Languages: Instruments, Techniques,and Standards

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of foreign language assessment in elementary and secondary schools. Besides this, it discusses a variety of current assessment practices, and provides samples of alternative and standardized instruments in use in schools today. It begins by presenting a historical overview. The goals of foreign language instruction and the consequent teaching methodologies have reflected historical events and evolutionary stages in the fields of education and linguistics. Foreign language assessment practices at the elementary and secondary levels have mirrored the evolving philosophies and practices in the field throughout this century. As new approaches to teaching foreign languages have become accepted practice, assessment of student learning in the classroom has reflected that change. The traditional approaches to assessment that had been commonly used, however, have never been abandoned. Yet, this coexistence of traditional and alternative assessment practices presents a challenge to the classroom teacher. The chapter also presents an overview various standardized examinations. The final section of the chapter discusses the impact of foreign language standards on instruction and assessment and suggests directions for the future.