The reliability of the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) has not been reported since ACTFL revised its speaking proficiency guidelines in 1999. Reliability data for assessments should be reported periodically to provide users with enough information to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the assessment. This study provided the most…

This study explored the possibility of using an ACTFL oral proficiency interview (OPI) to assess the spoken proficiency of heritage language speakers of Russian for the purpose of placing them in Russian language classes. The authors also considered whether the norm of an educated native speaker could be used as a valid reference point for Russian…

This volume contains papers submitted to the 10th Annual Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society, held in Kyustendil, Bulgaria, 12-15 June 2012. The overall goal of the 10th BCES conference is to facilitate discussion of different perspectives on international education providing a forum for scientific debate and constructive…

These guidelines, prepared by the Special Populations Strand of the Assessment and Accountability Comprehensive Center (AACC), focus on the technical quality of assessments for English language learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities (SWDs). This document is an evolving document that will periodically be updated to incorporate new…

In this article, I describe a practical application of the Roussos and Stout (1996) multidimensional analysis framework for interpreting group performance differences on an ESL reading proficiency test. Although a variety of statistical methods have been developed for flagging test items that function differentially for equal ability examinees…

Closed-captioned videotapes and accompanying print materials are available to the Prince George's County Public Schools English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program to help students develop their sight and meaning vocabulary, oral reading fluency, prediction skills, and ability to locate information in written texts. This manual is intended to…

The introductory pages from the "Facilitator's Guidebook" and the first 10 days of lesson plans translated into English comprise appendix A of this excerpt from a handbook for teaching English to adults. The purpose is to give the reader an idea of the guidebook's design and pattern of activities, as well as information about how the program's…

To explore the potential learner benefits of early exposure to literature and suggest instructional guidelines for effective literature study at the beginning level, this article examines the nature of literature and surveys how current textbooks guide beginning learners to access literary works. (Author/JL)

Presents preliminary thoughts on the testing of video language-learning courses, including a review of the literature and an examination of the research on the subject. The paper lists subtest types and gives an example of a test. Guidelines are offered regarding the creation of appropriate tests, and a direction for future research is suggested.…

Describes a study of the economics of language competence in Switzerland and the efficacy of education systems undertaken to develop guidelines for language policy. This study was mandated by such issues as the reassertion of local identities, unprecedented migration flows, the emergence of the European Union, and the intensification of…

Ten guidelines, along with corresponding teaching techniques and learning activities, are offered for developing students' communicative proficiency as described in the "ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines." The objective is to improve students' Spanish and Portuguese communication ability in authentic, situational contexts. (16 references) (LB)

Describes guidelines for writing teacher comments on English-as-a-Second-Language essays. The guidelines encourage teachers to comment between drafts, to offer students questions about their writing, and to include comments of praise and encouragement. (Author/VWL)

This article critically examines the KS3 Framework of Objectives for FL, placing it in the context of the National Strategy for FL at KS3 (DfES, 2003b), and other policies, and relating it to a theoretical and research perspective on FL acquisition. The idea that FL teachers should be entitled to continuing professional development based on…