Practical Proficiency Podcast

Authentic Assessment: Replacing Final Exams with Language Portfolios


Listen Later

Send us a text

Are you tired of watching your language students cram for final exams only to forget everything a week later? It's time to revolutionize your assessment approach with something that actually measures what matters: what students can DO with the language they've acquired.

Get the portfolio only available in the Practical Proficiency Curriculum here: 

https://lalibrelanguagelearning.mykajabi.com/practical-proficiency-curriculum-world-language-info


WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/XuyxCX5MCFU

In this episode, I unpack how replacing traditional final exams with carefully designed portfolios creates authentic assessment opportunities that mirror real-world language use. Rather than testing isolated vocabulary and grammar points under pressure, portfolios allow students to demonstrate their genuine language capabilities through evidence collected throughout their learning journey.

The beauty of the portfolio approach lies in its flexibility and authenticity. You'll discover how to create a simple framework based on 15-30 targeted can-do statements that represent your course's essential skills. Whether you've meticulously saved student work all year or need to help students recreate evidence during those chaotic final weeks, I provide practical strategies for implementation that won't overwhelm you or your students.

What makes portfolios particularly powerful is how they transform student mindsets. When learners know they'll ultimately showcase their skills in a comprehensive collection, they approach each unit with greater intention and retention. This creates a cumulative learning experience rather than the compartmentalized "learn-test-forget" cycle typical of traditional courses. Plus, portfolios provide redemption opportunities for students who struggled earlier in the year but have since developed proficiency.

The portfolio approach also solves many end-of-year challenges: it provides meaningful work during days with spotty attendance, reduces the "checking out" phenomenon that leads to behavior issues, and eliminates the stress of high-stakes testing. By focusing assessment on what students can demonstrate rather than what they can remember, we honor the true purpose of language education: enabling meaningful communication.

Ready to transform how you assess language acquisition? Listen in for step-by-step guidance, resource recommendations, and practical examples that will help you implement portfolio assessments that truly capture your students' language journey.

Let's connect:

Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit
Get the Free Roadmap to Proficiency
Website
TPT
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Practical Proficiency PodcastBy Devon Gunning | La Libre Language Learning

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

3 ratings


More shows like Practical Proficiency Podcast

View all
Coffee Break Spanish by Coffee Break Languages

Coffee Break Spanish

5,084 Listeners

Coffee Break French by Coffee Break Languages

Coffee Break French

4,096 Listeners

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast by Jennifer Gonzalez

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast

2,400 Listeners

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers by Angela Watson

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

1,240 Listeners

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher by Vicki Davis

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

275 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

55,867 Listeners

Duolingo Spanish Podcast by Duolingo

Duolingo Spanish Podcast

12,947 Listeners

Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify Education

Science of Reading: The Podcast

621 Listeners

Teaching to the TOP by Teaching on the Double

Teaching to the TOP

642 Listeners

El hilo by My Cultura and iHeartPodcasts

El hilo

832 Listeners

World Language Classroom by Joshua Cabral, French, Spanish and World Language Teaching Ideas

World Language Classroom

99 Listeners

The Unteachables Podcast by Claire English

The Unteachables Podcast

39 Listeners

Growing With Proficiency The Podcast by Claudia Elliott, World Language educator

Growing With Proficiency The Podcast

72 Listeners

Conversations about Language Teaching by Diane Neubauer, PhD & Reed Riggs, PhD

Conversations about Language Teaching

4 Listeners

SLAyyy: Second Language Acquisition for Everyone by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez, Bill Langley, Bryan Smith

SLAyyy: Second Language Acquisition for Everyone

2 Listeners