Alternative assessment is a way to directly evaluate learners' language skills. A paper-pencil test shows knowledge about the language. Alternative assessment shows learners' ability to use the language.
There are many reasons for using alternative assessment techniques. With alternative assessment:
* Learners make real use of the target language--in this case English--for an actual purpose.
* Learners demonstrate the things that they have learned in class.
* Learners take responsibility for and self-direct some of their own learning.
* Learners' motivation to learn and use the target language may increase.
* And, alternative assessment provides students with an opportunity to directly display their progress to others in their school and community, and to family members.
An innovative offering from the Office of English Language Programs, Shaping the Way We Teach English, is a 14-module teacher training video series developed and produced in cooperation with the University of Oregon.
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