Self-assessment in the second language classroom: A study of Core French students' ability to assess their own proficiency

The study focused on students' ability to assess their proficiency in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. A second component of the study was to focus on students' attitudes towards the use of self-assessment procedures in the second language classroom. Findings: (1) As students progress along a continuum of growth, they become more accurate in their ability to assess their proficiency in the four language skills. (2) Younger students exhibit more difficulty in their ability to assess their proficiency than do older students whereas older students tend to underestimate their abilities. (3) The students' ability to assess their proficiency appears to be contingent on the amount of emphasis the skill is given in the classroom. (4) Girls were found to be better at assessing their proficiency than were boys. (5) Students are positive towards a self-assessment procedure as it provided them with valuable information on their learning, as well as demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...