The assessment of oral language production in German L2: Which assessment tools? Comparison of a holistic and an analytical assessment grid

Abstract

This contribution aims to explore the relevance and complementarity of tools for correcting and assessing oral production in a foreign language. In particular, we are interested in comparing two scales or analysis grids – one analytical and the other holistic – designed to assess oral production in German as a foreign language among late primary school pupils (level A1) educated in the French-speaking context of French-speaking Switzerland. The oral production of 212 students from all over French-speaking Switzerland, based on two specific tasks, was assessed by four judges using two different types of grids. The results highlight the strengths and limitations of the two assessment methods.