A Comprehensive Guide to the Assessment of Emergent Bilinguals: Uncovering Language Proficiency and Supporting Student Success

The Assessment of Emergent Bilinguals: Supporting English Language Learners

by James Major

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
Paperback	:	38 pages
Item Weight	:	4 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.09 x 11 inches
File size	:	9680 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	339 pages

FREE

Emergent bilinguals are students who are in the process of acquiring a new language while continuing to develop their native language. They may be native speakers of a language other than English, or they may have been exposed to multiple languages from birth. Assessing emergent bilinguals is essential for understanding their language proficiency and providing them with the support they need to succeed in school.

Importance of Assessment

Assessment plays a vital role in supporting the education of emergent bilinguals. It can be used to:

* Identify students' strengths and weaknesses in both their native language and English * Track students' progress over time * Inform instruction and provide targeted support * Identify students who need additional support or services * Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs

Types of Assessment

There are a variety of different assessment tools and approaches that can be used to assess emergent bilinguals. Some of the most common types of assessment include:

* Language proficiency assessments measure students' ability to use a language in a variety of contexts. These assessments can be conducted in both the native language and English. * Academic assessments measure students' knowledge and skills in academic subjects such as math, reading, and science. These assessments are typically conducted in English. * Performance assessments measure students' ability to complete tasks that require them to use language in a meaningful way. These assessments can be conducted in either the native language or English. * Portfolio assessments collect a variety of student work over time to demonstrate their progress and development. Portfolios can include samples of writing, artwork, and other artifacts.

What to Look for in an Assessment

When choosing an assessment tool or approach, it is important to consider the following factors:

* Validity: The assessment should measure what it claims to measure. * Reliability: The assessment should produce consistent results when used multiple times. * Bias: The assessment should be fair and unbiased for all students. * Cultural sensitivity: The assessment should be respectful of students' cultural backgrounds and experiences. * Practicality: The assessment should be easy to administer and score.

Assessment Strategies for Emergent Bilinguals

There are a number of specific assessment strategies that can be used to support emergent bilinguals. These strategies include:

* Using multiple measures: Using a variety of assessment tools and approaches can provide a more complete picture of students' language proficiency and academic skills. * Assessing in both the native language and English: Assessing students in both their native language and English can help to identify their strengths and weaknesses in each language. * Providing accommodations: Providing accommodations such as extra time, translated materials, or bilingual support can help to ensure that emergent bilinguals are able to participate in assessments in a fair and equitable way. * Collaborating with families and communities: Collaborating with families and communities can help to provide a more comprehensive understanding of students' language proficiency and academic skills.

Assessment is an essential part of supporting the education of emergent bilinguals. By using valid, reliable, bias-free, culturally sensitive, and practical assessment tools and approaches, educators can gain a better understanding of students' language proficiency and academic skills. This information can be used to provide targeted support and instruction, and to ensure that emergent bilinguals have the opportunity to succeed in school.

References

* Assessing Emergent Bilinguals: A Guide for Educators * 5 Strategies for Assessing Emergent Bilinguals * Assessing Emergent Bilinguals: What Teachers Need to Know

The Assessment of Emergent Bilinguals: Supporting English Language Learners

by James Major

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
Paperback	:	38 pages
Item Weight	:	4 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.09 x 11 inches
File size	:	9680 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	339 pages

FREE