Studies in Applied Linguistics & TESOL (May 2011)
Diagnostic Second Language Assessment in the Classroom
Abstract
The term diagnosis is familiar, and refers to the identification of disease or disorder in an individual. In the broadest sense, then, diagnostic second language (L2) assessment refers to any L2 assessment practice, whether in the form of a formal written test or informal teacher questioning, that yields diagnostic feedback—information on learner strengths and weaknesses.