Why Multilingual Assessments Empowers English Learners

In classrooms across the world, the number of students who speak languages other than English at home is rapidly growing. These English Language Learners (ELLs) bring rich cultural and linguistic diversity to the education landscape, and with it, unique challenges.

One of the most pressing questions in supporting ELLs is how to assess their understanding and academic knowledge fairly and accurately. Testing students in their home language is not only a practical solution but also one that can unlock greater equity and opportunity.

Here’s why multilingual assessment should become a norm.

1. Capturing True Knowledge, Not Just Language Proficiency

Imagine being asked to take a math test in a language you’re just beginning to learn. How well would you be able to demonstrate what you know about fractions or geometry? This is the reality for many ELLs. When students are tested exclusively in English, the results often reflect their language skills rather than their actual understanding of the subject. Testing in a student’s home language provides a clearer picture of their academic abilities and helps educators tailor instruction to where it’s truly needed.

2. Building Confidence in the Classroom

For many ELLs, the experience of learning in a language other than their own can be intimidating and, at times, disheartening. Testing in their home language gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths. This positive reinforcement builds confidence, encouraging them to engage more actively in class and fostering a growth mindset.

3. Recognizing and Valuing Linguistic Diversity

Testing in a student’s home language communicates a powerful message: their native language is valued, not dismissed. This approach helps shift the perception that success is only tied to English fluency. By respecting and incorporating students’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds into assessments, we promote a more inclusive educational environment that celebrates diversity.

4. Providing Equitable Access to High-Stakes Opportunities

Standardized testing in English often acts as a gatekeeper for advanced courses, scholarships, and college admissions. Many ELLs miss out on these opportunities simply because they haven’t yet reached full proficiency in English. Testing in their home language can open doors that would otherwise remain closed, ensuring students are evaluated on their academic merits, not their English fluency.

5. Enhancing Teacher Insights for Targeted Instruction

When educators have a clearer understanding of their students’ strengths and needs, they can make more effective instructional decisions. Testing in a home language gives teachers a more nuanced understanding of a student’s grasp of core concepts. This allows for targeted support in areas where ELLs may need help, whether in English language development or specific content areas.

6. Supporting Cognitive Development Through Bilingualism

Bilingual assessments don’t just serve a functional purpose; they actively promote cognitive benefits associated with bilingualism. Studies show that children who develop literacy in two languages benefit from enhanced memory, multitasking skills, and problem-solving abilities. By assessing ELLs in their home language, we encourage these cognitive gains and support the development of well-rounded, linguistically flexible thinkers.

7. Aligning with Policies That Encourage Bilingual Education

More educational policies at the federal and state levels are embracing bilingual education. Initiatives like the U.S. “Being Bilingual is a Superpower” campaign promote bilingualism as a valuable skill for the future. Incorporating multilingual assessment into schools aligns with these policy shifts, ensuring that schools are supporting bilingual students’ academic and language development needs in a way that is forward-thinking and inclusive.

Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future

The shift to testing ELLs in their home language is not without challenges—schools may need access to resources, multilingual assessment tools, and trained educators to implement it effectively.

However, the potential benefits far outweigh these hurdles. Testing in a student’s home language recognizes the value of their unique linguistic assets, levels the playing field, and fosters a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Embracing multilingual assessment is a powerful step toward equity in education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed based on what they know—not just the language they speak.