Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT)

Effective Assessment Strategies for FSL – Winter 2027
2027-01-21 19:00 - 2027-03-11 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Zoom
Course Details
Schedule and Format

8 lessons over 8 weeks that blend theory and practice:

Synchronous 90-minute classes Thursdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET (on Zoom)

60 minutes of synchronous online learning
30 minutes of collaborative planning and/or individual reflection (synchronously or asynchronously)

First class: January 21, 2027
Last class: March 11, 2027

Registration Fees
Registration includes a complimentary digital publication of your choice from the CASLT boutique. Participants who successfully complete a course will also receive a $20 gift card for the boutique.

Registration Type
Rate

CASLT Member
$185 + tax

Non-member*
$250 + tax

*Includes a one-year CASLT membership.
Course Completion
All participants who finish the course successfully will receive a certificate of completion.
Participant Profile
Teachers of K–12 Core, Intensive/Extended French, or French Immersion programs across Canada
Language of the Course
This course uses a bilingual approach. Course content will be presented in English, and participants may engage in coursework and discussions in English or French.
Instructional Approach

Flipped Classroom: Participants will engage with course materials before class, allowing in-class time to be used for deeper discussion, hands-on activities, and collaborative learning.
Peer Learning: Participants will be encouraged to learn from each other through structured group discussions and collaborative planning.
Reflective Practice: Participants will engage in regular written reflections to critically evaluate their learning and teaching practices.
Applied Learning: The course will focus on creating and adapting practical, context-specific tools and resources grounded in sound theoretical principles. Participants will engage in a continuous learning, application, and reflection cycle.

Course Description
How can we assess and evaluate our students in French while fostering engagement, motivation, and authentic use of the target language? What is the solution to assessment overwhelm and endless nights marking “my favourite animal” slideshows? This foundational course will explore best practices of assessment and evaluation in French as a second/additional language. Participants will learn practical and time-saving strategies for designing and implementing authentic and engaging assessments to evaluate student language proficiency in a classroom with diverse needs. The course covers essential topics, including assessment frameworks, triangulation of evidence, differentiation, inclusion, curriculum alignment, reporting, workflow, and international language credentials. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and discussions emphasizing collaborative planning and practical application. By the end of the course, participants will have developed a personalized repertoire of formative and summative assessments tailored to their specific contexts.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this 8-lesson course, participants will:

Design assessments that incorporate real-world scenarios and encourage the authentic use of the French language.
Develop assessment strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs and promote inclusivity.
Implement triangulation methods to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of student proficiency.
Implement practical and efficient strategies to streamline the assessment process and reduce workload.

Course Overview

Lesson
Guiding Questions
Learning Objectives

1
What are the key components of an effective assessment framework in FSL?
What existing knowledge and experiences do we bring to the course?
How can we create a collaborative learning community to enhance our understanding of assessment frameworks?
Identify and describe the key components of effective assessment frameworks for FSL.
Analyze the impact of different assessment frameworks on language learning and teaching outcomes.
Build a collaborative learning community to support ongoing dialogue and shared learning about best practices in FSL assessment.

2
How can we modify assessment tasks to meet the diverse learning needs of all learners?
What strategies can we employ to provide appropriate challenges for advanced learners while supporting those who need additional help?
How can we design assessments to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and experiences in our classrooms?
Implement strategies and develop assessment tasks that accommodate the diverse needs of FSL learners.
Integrate technology to support differentiated and inclusive assessment practices.
Assess the effectiveness of differentiated and inclusive assessment strategies and make necessary adjustments.

3
How can we incorporate real-world scenarios and contexts into our assessments?
How can we integrate student interests and experiences into assessment design to enhance engagement and relevance?
How can we balance the need for authentic assessments with curriculum requirements and standards?
Incorporate real-world tasks and content into FSL assessments to enhance language learning relevance and application.
Develop rubrics and assessment criteria to effectively assess student performance on authentic tasks.
Identify potential challenges in designing and implementing authentic assessments and propose solutions.

4
What strategies can ensure validity and reliability when evaluating different types of evidence?
How can we leverage technology to gather and organize evidence from various sources?
How can we involve students in the process of collecting and reflecting on multiple sources of evidence?
Differentiate between formative and summative assessments and explain their roles within an assessment framework.
Implement triangulation methods to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of student proficiency.
Identify and apply strategies to ensure the validity and reliability of different types of evidence in student assessments.
Develop methods to actively involve students in the collection and reflection process of various evidence forms, fostering self-assessment and ownership of learning.

5
How can we design assessments that are both challenging and motivating for students?
What role does feedback play in maintaining and enhancing student motivation?
How can we create a classroom environment that encourages risk-taking and perseverance in language learning?
Create stimulating and rigorous assessments to boost student interest and involvement.
Deliver impactful feedback to drive student motivation and improvement.
Establish a supportive classroom atmosphere to promote student confidence and persistence in language learning.

6
How can we ensure our assessments align with curriculum standards and learning objectives?
What are some effective ways to communicate assessment criteria and expectations to students?
How can we report assessment results in a way that is clear, constructive, and supportive of student growth?
How can we integrate the preparation for international credentials into our regular assessment practices without overwhelming students?
Align assessment practices with educational standards and learning targets to ensure relevance and coherence.
Communicate assessment goals and criteria effectively to students, parents, and other stakeholders.
Incorporate international language credential preparation into routine assessments thoughtfully and intentionally.

7
What are some time-saving strategies for designing and implementing assessments?
How can we use digital tools and resources to streamline the assessment and feedback process?
What are some ways to efficiently mark and provide feedback on student work?
Adopt efficient methods for designing and implementing assessments to save time.
Utilize digital tools to streamline the assessment and feedback processes.
Apply efficient marking strategies to provide timely and effective feedback.

8
What are some key considerations when developing a personalized assessment repertoire for our specific classroom contexts?
How can we ensure our assessment plans are flexible and adaptable to changing classroom dynamics and student needs?
What are some practical tips for implementing the strategies learned in this series in our daily teaching practice?
Develop a repertoire of formative and summative assessments for immediate use.
Create flexible assessment plans that adapt to classroom dynamics and student needs.
Apply practical strategies on an ongoing basis.
