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Spotlight

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Visit the Adult ESL Web
site to learn more.

Resource Corner

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Visit the CAELA Network Web site for access to resources for practitioners working with adult English Language Learners.

CAELA Briefs
These free downloadable briefs give an overview of the key issues and research on topics in the field of adult ESL instruction. Learn more.

CAL Digests
Download our latest digest relating to adult ESL assessment:

Effects of Instructional Hours and Intensity of Instruction on NRS Level Gain in Listening and Speaking

Browse of our collection of free downloadable digests.

  

Testing / Assessment

Adult ESL Assessment

Testing resources for programs serving adult English language learners

As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse and the number of adults learning English continues to grow, the need for effective language instruction and assessment has never been greater. The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) understands the needs of language educators and programs serving adult English language learners, and we have a long-standing commitment to serving adult ESL practitioners.

CAL uses current best practices in test development to create its assessments, which are designed to help programs evaluate students and make instructional decisions. CAL’s assessments use authentic language and communicative tasks that allow examinees to demonstrate what they know and can do in English. Our tests are reviewed and field-tested with the support of state education directors, local program directors, and experienced adult ESL teachers. With the development in 2003 of BEST Plus as our oral English proficiency assessment and the release of BEST Literacy in 2006, CAL continues to provide valuable assessment resources for adult ESL programs.

BEST Literacy and BEST Plus address the different needs of adult English language learners by providing assessment options that can reliably demonstrate student progress. With BEST Plus for speaking and listening skills and BEST Literacy for reading and writing skills, programs can use our assessments together to test the full range of student performance. We invite you to contact us to discuss your program’s needs.

For more information
Call: 1-866-845-BEST (2378)
Email: aea@cal.org
Online: Visit our Web site

All CAL adult ESL proficiency assessments meet NRS reporting requirements and are designed to give programs a full range of options for their assessment needs.