Adult Language Assessment Scales—Oral (A-LAS Oral)

Purpose: To assess English listening and speaking proficiency of non-native English speakers.

Target: Adult English language learners.

Method and format: Performance-based; individual face-to-face interviews.

Content: The test focuses on language used in everyday situations and on the job. The short form tests vocabulary, conversations, making sentences, newscast story retelling; the long form adds pronunciation, and sounds in words.

Administration time: 20-25 minutes for short form; additional 5-10 minutes for long form.

Levels and scoring: The test is designed to assess skills from no English to entry-level workforce. Skill areas are individually scored to identify areas for targeted instruction; combined scores indicate overall proficiency. It is effective for placement but not comprehensive enough to assess achievement.

Reliability/validity: "Developers normed and validated Adult LAS by testing both native English speakers and ESL adults in various employment and educational environments. By measuring proficiency with a 90% accuracy level, Adult LAS has proven to be a valid, reliable adult language assessment" (publisher's statement).

Number of forms: Two

Materials available: Administration manual, scoring and interpretation manual, picture cue book, audio cassette, individual student answer books, and profile sheets

CTB/McGraw-Hill
20 Ryan Ranch Road
Monterey, CA 93940
800-538-9547
http://www.ctb.com/

Adult Rating of Oral English (AROE)

Purpose: To assess the workplace listening and speaking proficiency of non-native speakers of English.

Target: Non-native-English-speaking adults in vocational/life skills programs.

Method and format: Performance-based. A rater assesses a student based on in-class interaction or on-the-job performance, and completes a matrix based on observations.

Content: Items test pronunciation, grammar, general and vocational vocabulary, conversation, instructions, explanations, and clarification.

Administration time: Observation over 15-30 contact hours.

Levels and scoring: The matrix divides skills into six levels of proficiency; brief descriptions for each level are provided in the matrix.

Reliability/validity: Information on reliability and validity is available in the AROE Technical Manual.

Number of forms: One

Materials available: Rater's handbook, technical manual, training video, individual student response matrices

Development Associates
1730 North Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209
703-276-0677
http://www.devassoc.com/index.html