Portfolio Based Language Assessment

This 250-page guide is referenced to CLBs (1–3) and has instructions for adapting units and lessons to PBLA. It contains teaching strategies and language goals for English learners. The teacher’s guide and student materials contain background information, lesson plans and learner activities. Skill building (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and language building (grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary) activities are provided. The objective is to assist learners with trauma to see themselves as belonging to the wider community.

Free access:
http://cmascanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/1467063427_01_beyond_trauma_complete_1.pdf

The Canadian Centre for Language Benchmarks (CCLB) has developed several modules for CLB 1-2, CLB 3-4, and CLB 5-6. The packages include lesson plans, skill-building activities, skill-using and assessment tasks. Each module contains listening texts in separate audio files.  Module packages for Literacy (CLB 1L and CLB 2L) have also been developed for three topics.

Updated in 2019, this website has five sections explaining the theory behind PBLA and guidelines for implementation. PBLA Foundations provides a rationale, historical and theoretical contexts for PBLA. PBLA Portfolios explains key elements, components and expectations, plus teaching tips. PBLA Reporting discusses professional judgements, progress reports. PBLA Accountability includes administrator tips. The final section contains resources, including multilevel modules and a list of training courses.

Bow Valley College and Conestoga College have developed tools for creating PBLA rubrics.

Many teachers have found Conestoga's LINC Assessment Generating Tool helpful. The tool includes a complete list of competency statements, indicators and profiles of ability, all in one place.  Also included  - a guide to question levels by CLB, features of communication, and sample assessment tasks for instructional reference. You must have a Tutela account to access this resource.

Bow Valley College has developed clear, easy-to-use assessments and templates for Portfolio-Based language Assessment (PBLA). Their toolbox contains:

  • Tool 1: Assessment Templates
  • Tool 2: Instructor Administered Templates
  • Tool 3: Learner Reflections
  • Tool 4: Self-Assessments

This web resource is maintained by teachers in the LINC ASSIST Community Services Centre, in Edmonton, Alberta.  Its purpose is  to provide resources and an implementation guide for teachers using PBLA in their own LINC classrooms. The site is easy to navigate.

The "PBLA" section will take you to resources and examples of how to implement PBLA. "Teaching Resources" links to a variety of theme and skill-based resources.  Some resources are Alberta-based and designed for ASSIST settings.  Also note, Word docs on the website cannot be viewed on mobile devices.