Write the answer to the each question in this activity as you reflect on current practices in your program for ongoing assessment of children who are learning more than one language.
Think about an early learning environment where you teach or one that you know that has children who are dual language learners:
How many children are dual language learners?
What are their home languages?
What languages do educators use to teach children?
Who else speaks home languages with children while they are in the early learning setting?
Step 3
Write the answer to the questions to help you plan to effectively track the progress of children who are dual language learners:
What is the program's current approach to promoting home language development?
What is the current approach to promoting English language development?
What are current practices for assessing progress in home languages?
What tools or strategies do staff use?
Are these appropriate for the population served (i.e, valid and reliable)?
Who conducts these assessments and do they speak children's home languages?
When does assessment take place?
What are current practices for assessing progress in English?
What tools or strategies do staff use?
When does assessment take place?
What do educators do with this assessment information?
How do programs invite families to share information in the assessment process?
How does teaching staff organize and share this information?
What additions or changes should be made to more effectively assess the development of children who are dual language learners in their home languages? Think about the above questions.
What additions or changes should be made to assessing their development in English? Again, think about the above questions.