LING 520G - ESOL Assessment Strategies for K-12 Learners

This course provides an understanding of language assessment, with a focus on K-12 ESL learners. Our main goals include becoming familiar with assessment terminology, as well as understanding the components of sound test construction and applying them to young ESL learners. The course covers validity (content, construct, face, internal, external, and predictive), reliability, and washback. The course also examines purposes of language assessment (placement, diagnostic, proficiency, achievement). Language assessments that are likely to be encountered as a K-12 ESL teacher will be covered, including differences between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, as well as alternative assessments, such as portfolios.

Prerequisites: LING 238 - Introduction to Linguistics and advanced undergraduate standing.
Credit(s): 3