Latin American Languages and Societies Commons^™

Increasing Language Awareness And Self-Efficacy Of Fl Students Using Self-Assessment And The Actfl Proficiency Guidelines, Elizabeth M. Kissling, M. E. O'Donnell

Latin American, Latino and Iberian Studies Faculty Publications

This study describes how oral language was assessed in an advanced-level college foreign language (FL) conversation course. Learners used the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines to guide self-analyses of their oral production at intervals throughout the course. The intent was to provide opportunities for learners to develop an understanding of what constitutes oral proficiency, gauge their own progress, and set personal goals. Learners’ self-analysis narratives suggested they began to notice different aspects of their speech and to better articulate their abilities and limitations. Broadly speaking, the results suggest that self-assessment of oral performance guided by the Proficiency Guidelines is an effective way …