Compare and contrast traditional assessment with performance-based assessment.

Traditional assessments are "tests" administered using paper and pencil that are typically true/false, matching, or multiple choice. These tests are simple to grade, but they only measure discrete applications, facts, or memorized data at a lower level of thinking. Traditional evaluation provides little indication of what a language student can actually do with the language. A student must be evaluated using various performance tasks and assessments in order to determine what a language learner can do with the language.

Performance evaluations are divided into three types: authentic evaluations, alternative evaluations, and integrated evaluations. Learners must employ more sophisticated, higher-order thinking skills. To develop individual responses, they must think, problem-solve, or interact with others. Rubrics, which are presented ahead of time so that students are aware of their expectations, are used to evaluate pupils on several proficiency levels.