Assessment competence in world language education

Abstract

One area of research that has come into prominence in the last decade or so concerns language assessment literacy (LAL), which typically refers to the study of the competencies needed by various people in relation to language testing and assessment. We first review the central role and importance of LAL, or language assessment competence, for world language (WL) teachers, focusing on the key knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate assessment and instruction in the classroom. We then explore how the concept of LAL has been conceptualized and defined theoretically in the language assessment field and discuss important empirical research that has been undertaken. We consider the distinct perspectives of researchers and teachers and how they can bring their perspectives together to collaborate on assessment competency projects to the benefit of both groups. Finally, we share some resources developed to assist teachers in developing their competence and invite readers to conduct a reflective exercise to determine their language assessment competence needs for their own specific context.