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Monipuolisen arvioinnin merkitys korostuu opetussuunnitelman perusteissa (Opetushallitus 2014, 2019) sekä perusopetus- (1998/628) ja lukiolaissa (2018/714). Toisin sanoen arvioinnin ei tule koostua pelkästään kokeista ja muista summatiivisen arvioinnin muodoista, vaan sen rinnalle tarvitaan oppimista tukevaa, formatiivista arviointia. Oppimista voidaan tukea esimerkiksi palautteen, itsearvioinnin ja vertaispalautteen avulla. Nämä tyypilliset formatiivisen arvioinnin välineet ja niiden implementointi opetukseen mainitaankin opetussuunnitelman perusteissa (Opetushallitus 2014, 2019). Formatiivisen arvioinnin avulla voidaan lisäksi tukea oppilaiden oppimaan oppimista ja reflektointia, mikä on yksi tärkeimmistä tavoitteista suomalaisessa koulutuksessa (Opetushallitus 2014, 2019). Itsearviointi ja reflektointi mainitaan myös lakitasolla olennaisiksi oppimistavoitteiksi (Lukiolaki 2018/714; Perusopetuslaki 1998/628). AFinLAn aikaisempi teemajulkaisu arvioinnista käsitteli kielitaidon arviointitutkimusta 2000-luvun Suomessa (Huhta & Hilden 2016). Siinä käsiteltiin summatiivista arviointia. Siksi tässä uudessa teemajulkaisussa on tärkeää pohtia, kuinka formatiivista ja dynaamista arviointia voidaan hyödyntää kieltenopetuksessa tukemaan oppimista ja kielitaidon karttumista. Ensin esittelemme teoriataustan, joka nivoo yhteen teemajulkaisumme yhdeksän artikkelia. The aim of this special issue is to present current research on assessment that supports language learning. The aim of all assessment is to stimulate learning although this customarily applies to formative and dynamic assessment. By using multifaceted assessment practices, language teachers can support students’ learning in myriad ways. This is also a key aspect of assessment literacy. However, little is known about assessment that supports language learning in the Finnish context. Therefore, this special issue provides an overview of how assessment can be used to enhance language learning in Finland. The publication starts with an introductory article on formative and dynamic assessment. peerReviewed

In Finland, teachers have considerable autonomy over their assessment practices. Recent studies suggest that FL/L2 teachers, particularly at the upper secondary school, primarily focus on summative assessment rather than on formative assessment and feedback, which is in contrast with the latest Finnish National Core Curricula. Furthermore, while appreciating teacher feedback, learners do not perceive it as an integral part of assessment. In this paper, we propose formative classroom practices to support the learning process and go beyond error correction in FL/L2 writing. These practices are grounded on our earlier research, and they focus mainly on two themes: fostering learner choice in feedback and error correction methodology and supporting peer feedback with the help of a checklist based on the Matriculation Examination rating scale. Drawing from students’ comments and texts, we will explore learner experiences with these assessment practices and the changes they may bring to the classroom. peerReviewed

This study explores the perceptions and practices of upper secondary school language teachers on differentiated assessment. The data were collected through a closed and open-ended questionnaire (n=48) and individual interviews with four teachers. The results show that the teachers used a variety of assessment methods, with a predominant emphasis on formative assessment. Although the teachers mentioned many differentiated assessment methods, they did not generally differentiate their assessments to a large extent. The teachers also focused mostly on low-achieving students and neglected adversely gifted students. The teachers seemed to follow the practice of having all students demonstrate their learning in the same way and at the same time. Class size was seen as the main barrier to more thorough differentiation. The results of this study suggest that differentiation should be better integrated into assessment and that both pre- and in-service teachers would benefit from training focusing on differentiated assessment. peerReviewed

Opiskelija-arvioinnilla on merkittävä asema kaikkialla koulumaailmassa, niin myös suomalaisessa lukiossa. Vaikutusvaltaisesta roolistaan huolimatta arviointia ja sen käytännön toteutusta lukiossa tai lukion kieltenopetuksessa on tutkittu niukasti. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli tutkia kyselylomakkeen avulla, kuinka lukiolaiset (146 lukiolaista yhdestä koulusta) itse kokivat arvioinnin osana englannin opintojaan, millaisia arviointimenetelmiä he olivat kohdanneet ja mitä niistä he pitivät hyödyllisinä. Tämän tutkimuksen perusteella opiskelijat arvostivat arviointia, jonka he kokivat osuvan varsin oikeaan ja olleen melko monipuolista. Arviointi ei kuitenkaan ohjannut heitä eteenpäin kovinkaan paljon. Lisäksi opiskelijoiden henkilökohtaiset kokemukset arvioinnista vaihtelivat huomattavasti. Jotta arviointi palvelisi vielä useampia opiskelijoita, sen tulisi olla entistä monipuolisempaa ja ohjaavampaa. Student assessment has a powerful role in all educational contexts, also in the Finnish upper secondary school. Yet, in spite of its powerful role, there is rather little research on assessment and its practical implementation in foreign language teaching in upper secondary school. The aim of this study was to examine, with a questionnaire, how students (n = 146) in one upper secondary school experienced assessment as part of their English studies, what assessment methodology they had encountered and what they thought of the usefulness of these assessment methods. The article shows that most students appreciated assessment and found it accurate as well as quite varied in its methodology. However, assessment did not seem to feed forward very much. Furthermore, students’ individual experiences of assessment varied a great deal. In order for assessment to serve more students, it should be more multifaceted and guiding. peerReviewed