Proficiency in Practice: Real-World Strategies for Assessing Growth

Assessing language proficiency isn’t just about tests—it’s about capturing what learners can do with language in authentic, purposeful ways. In this session, we’ll explore practical methods for evaluating student growth that align with proficiency targets and support instructional decision-making.

Drawing on ACTFL guidelines, Florida frameworks, and classroom-tested strategies, we’ll dive into:

• Performance-based tasks that reveal communicative competence across modes of communication.
• Rubrics and feedback tools that promote a growth mindset and student ownership.
• Language resources that support formative and summative assessment aligned to proficiency levels.

Participants will leave with ready-to-use assessment templates, sample tasks, and strategies for making proficiency visible—whether in daily instruction, portfolios, or formal evaluations. This session is ideal for teachers seeking to demystify assessment and make it a powerful tool for learning.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Patrick Wallace has 30+ years of experience in public education that spans from the classroom to the Department of Education. Fluent in German, he earned a MEd with an emphasis on German from Georgia Southern University. Having served at the state level supporting world language and DLI programs in Georgia, he brings a unique perspective and passion for advocacy to KWL.