What is the primary focus of summative assessment in the ESOL context?

The primary focus of summative assessment in the ESOL context is to assess student learning at the end of an instructional unit. This type of assessment is designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills that students have acquired over a designated period, typically at the conclusion of a course or module. By administering summative assessments, educators can determine whether students have met the learning objectives and standards that were set for that unit of instruction.

Summative assessments often take the form of final exams, projects, or standardized tests, which provide a comprehensive overview of what students have learned throughout the course. This evaluation not only helps inform instructional decisions moving forward but also provides accountability for the learning outcomes achieved by students. Ultimately, the results from these assessments can be used to make comparisons across different student groups or to measure the effectiveness of the instructional approaches used.