As language educators, we strive to prepare our students for real-world communication and future opportunities. Whether they pursue careers in government, healthcare, business, or education, their ability to use language effectively can open doors. Therefore, providing them with the right assessment tools to showcase their skills is essential. Not all language tests are created equal. […]
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Performance versus Proficiency As world language educators, we often talk about the distinction between performance and proficiency. Most of us can explain that the former is language that focuses on familiar contexts and has been practiced, whereas the latter is overarching, encompassing authentic tasks in a real-world context. A simple way of conceptualizing this distinction […]
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Alpine School District, Utah’s largest with over 85,000 students, faced a significant challenge in its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program: the lack of a reliable assessment to gauge student language proficiency. Teachers relied on informal observations, leading to inconsistent evaluations and difficulty in addressing individual learning needs. Additionally, the district required a solution that was […]
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Validity and Reliability are undoubtedly the two pillars of assessment theory. As an adjunct professor of Assessment, I have had to define these concepts and explain their significance to teacher candidates in all content areas. Often, they confuse the two, so I had to develop a few memorable examples that would stick in their minds, […]
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In a rapidly evolving world, staying ahead of the curve in education and assessment is crucial. As trusted partners in language proficiency testing, ACTFL and Language Testing International® (LTI) have continuously innovated to meet the needs of learners, educators, and employers alike. Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology, coupled with extensive research, underscores how we […]
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We’re in our most powerful era as language teachers. The development of Seal of Biliteracy credentials in the United States has ushered in opportunities that elevate the power our graduates have. We are not only arming them with valuable 21st century skills but also tangible evidence that enhances their professional potential. For us classroom teachers, […]
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A key concept in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the learner as an agent of social change. “Language education should therefore create learning contexts that encourage learners to grow in their role as social agents, as autonomous and responsible language users. Learners as social agents can then take responsibility for […]
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You are standing in a room with a bunch of incoming 9th grade students and their parents and are given one minute to explain to them why they should enroll in language classes in high school. Anyone been there? I’ve been teaching Spanish since 2004, and I’ve noticed that my sales pitch has changed over […]
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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at Language Testing International® (LTI), we take protecting your data seriously. Whether you’re a client using our services or an employee, we prioritize security every step of the way. Here’s how we’re keeping your information safe.
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Did you know that the ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL), sounds like 🍎, was recently approved by ACTFL for placement testing in higher education? It is true, and it may just be the solution you have been looking for to improve your postsecondary world language program.
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