Comment: Literacy is a highly important construct and one of the most significant predictors for school success.
Despite this importance there is still quite some discussion on how to best define and even more, assess and test literacy.
Furthermore, it is a multi-facetted construct and certain factors have to be taken into account when trying to measure and evaluate literacy standards.
These are, for example, learner variables, such as cognitive ability, proficiency level in L1, L2 and further languages, motivation and interest, reading strategies, reading experience, reading routines, attitudes towards education as well as gender, socio-cultural background, etc. that cannot be neglected when it comes to explain literacy proficiency. How can we then make sure that ‘no child is left behind’ [https://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml; retrieved Feb 28th 2023].
In this seminar we will first have a look at the literacy construct. We will then discuss how to best measure literacy standards with respect to the CEFR and specific EFL curricula in Hesse. We will evaluate authentic testing material and assess students’ learning process, e.g. class tests, as well as examples of the final oral and written exams this year (Landesabitur).
Furthermore, we will approach literacy from an international scope taking into account discussions, for example in the USA, UK, New Zealand and Finland. We will also critically read and discuss national (DESI) and international literacy studies (PISA) and compare student performance on an international level.
Finally, we will conclude with the development of principles for further improvement of literacy and ways of teaching, testing and/or assessment.
Last but not least the impact of Artificial Intelligence on literacy development and literacy testing as well as declarations of honesty have to be well reflected and critically examined.