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About the Benchmarks
About the Benchmarks
The Alberta K–12 English as an Additional Language Proficiency Benchmarks (Benchmarks 2.0) is an assessment tool to support educators in identifying the English language proficiency levels of students learning English as an additional language (EAL). The English language development of EAL learners is a shared responsibility of all educators. Teachers should be aware of the unique linguistic demands of the subject matter they teach, and the vocabulary and language forms and functions students require to learn the Alberta curriculum. EAL learners need explicit language instruction and guided support to listen, speak, read, and write for a variety of purposes in the formats associated with each subject area.
Benchmarks 2.0 can be used in any subject area to
•assess initial and ongoing language proficiency levels
• inform instruction and programming
• set appropriate language-learning goals
•determine language-learning supports
•monitor and report language proficiency growth
• communicate language proficiency levels to students and their parents/guardians
Benchmarks 2.0 builds upon the strong foundation developed through the Alberta K–12 ESL Proficiency Benchmarks (Benchmarks 1.0). Benchmarks 1.0 was released in 2010 and has since supported school authorities with assessment of language proficiency for EAL learners. Benchmarks 1.0 created common standards and understanding around language proficiency, served to highlight the linguistic elements requiring instruction and support for EAL learners, and helped school authorities to assess, monitor, and report student language proficiency growth.
Alberta K–12 English as an Additional Language Proficiency Benchmarks | (Benchmarks 2.0) Page 1
"The English language development of EAL learners is a shared responsibility of all educators. Teachers should be aware of the unique linguistic demands of the subject matter they teach, and the vocabulary and language forms and functions students require to learn the Alberta curriculum. EAL learners need explicit language instruction and guided support to listen, speak, read, and write for a variety of purposes in the formats associated with each subject area."
"The English language development of EAL learners is a shared responsibility of all educators. Teachers should be aware of the unique linguistic demands of the subject matter they teach, and the vocabulary and language forms and functions students require to learn the Alberta curriculum. EAL learners need explicit language instruction and guided support to listen, speak, read, and write for a variety of purposes in the formats associated with each subject area."
Alberta K–12 English as an Additional Language Proficiency Benchmarks | (Benchmarks 2.0) Page 1
Benchmarks 2.0 reflects that
EAL learners require programming and language instruction to build English fluency for successful access to education in Alberta
subject areas are instructed in a language EAL learners are still developing fluency in (in English education)
teachers plan explicit language instruction to support EAL and content learning in subject areas
a student’s home language(s) and culture are valuable learning tools that help them develop English
Classroom teachers can use Benchmarks 2.0 to assess a student’s English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in any subject area while observing student interactions, meeting with students, and/or reviewing student work or test results. Assessments and assignments require adaptation for students at beginner levels and differentiation for students at intermediate and advanced levels.
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