More than testing the water Beurteilung von Englischkompetenzen im Verlauf der Volksschule

Abstract

This contribution reports about sites and occasions for diagnostic, summative and high-stakes assessment in the normal course of English language learners’ careers in primary and secondary school in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It describes and discusses widespread diagnostic tests such as “Stellwerk” and “Multicheck” as well as an entry test for vocational education. In the absence of proper graduation or certificate exams, these assessments represent key moments for the planning of further learning and the transition to next higher schools. The article discusses the issue of whether the various assessment procedures occur at the right times and with the required degree of care and quality. It concludes that the Stellwerk test is well-suited to diagnose partial competences and to foster further learning, but it should be used as a certificate of achievement only with caution. Yet Stellwerk is still a far better option than ineptly designed commercial packages, which are often sought after by employers.