FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT METHODS IN EFFECTIVE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Abstract

The use of formative assessment methods plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of foreign language teaching. Unlike summative assessments, which evaluate learning at the end of an instructional period, formative assessments provide continuous feedback, enabling instructors to identify students' strengths and weaknesses in real-time. This article explores various formative assessment techniques, such as self-assessment, peer review, quizzes, interactive tasks, and teacher feedback, and their impact on language acquisition. It highlights how these methods foster learner autonomy, motivation, and engagement, ultimately improving linguistic competence. The study also discusses best practices for integrating formative assessment into the foreign language classroom and the challenges educators may face in its implementation. The findings suggest that adopting formative assessment strategies leads to more personalized and adaptive instruction, promoting a deeper understanding and retention of the target language. I have included a few excerpts to share with my foreign language teaching colleagues how I use this type of assessment in my classes.