Benchmarking
Why benchmark?
The AB K-12 ESL Proficiency Benchmarks and the AB K-12 EAL Proficiency Benchmarks are assessment tools "to support educators in identifying the English language proficiency levels of students learning English as an additional language."
The Benchmarks can be used 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
-Alberta K-12 English as an Additional Language (EAL) Proficiency Benchmarks - p. 4
While the Benchmarks can be used to fulfill the assessment protocols outlined in the Alberta Education Funding Manual, they are a valuable tool for monitoring language growth and informing instruction. The Funding Manual states that an "annual assessment of a child's/student's language proficiency development is required to inform instructional planning and the provision of timely and appropriate learning supports" (p. 43, Funding Manual 2023/24), but this does not mean that the Benchmarks should only be visited on an annual basis. Ongoing assessment and monitoring of EAL student language proficiency are required to inform instructional planning and the provision of timely and appropriate learning supports (see the Guide to Education).
"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 (EAL) Proficiency Benchmarks - p. 4
Using the Benchmarks for Ongoing Assessment
The EAL Proficiency Benchmarks should be used throughout the year to ensure each EAL student is developing the language skills and knowledge expected based on his or her individual circumstances. The EAL Benchmarks can be used to establish English language proficiency levels of students at intervals throughout the school year (e.g., November, March, June) and can be compared to previous results to establish how the student is progressing.
Establishing language learning targets and planning for language development helps to provide concrete evidence of how a student's language is progressing. After a student's initial assessment of language proficiency has been conducted and proficiency levels have been established, the EAL Benchmarks can help guide teachers in setting language learning targets for their students by providing guidance on what the steps are to reach the next level of proficiency.
Teachers are key players in planning and monitoring language development and are essential to the ongoing assessment process. Because language varies by discipline, all teachers should be planning for language development and monitoring growth.
