Vandreia Montano

ESC 708
Spring 2015
Reflection 4.b.
The artifact I chose and that meets the requirements for the TESOL standard 4.b. is a
homework assignment developed for my graduate class ESC 760 from the Spring of 2014. For
this assignment I selected and analyzed students writing samples trying to identify the learners
interlanguage stage based on their use of negation.
To develop the artifact I learned about the interlanguage stages in the second language
learning process and how to identify them by analyzing students writing samples. Using
students writing samples I tried to identify the different language errors and correlate them with
their first language structure. Based on their use of negation I made an educated guess about their
interlanguage stage.
This artifact shows my ability to assess students language proficiency meeting with the
TESOL standard 4.b. Language Proficiency Assessment. Candidates know and use a variety
of standards-based language proficiency instruments to show language growth and to
inform their instruction. They demonstrate understanding of their uses for identification,
placement, and reclassification of ELLs.
What I learned from this activity is how to use students writing samples to identify their
interlanguage stage and assess their language development. I also learned that there are different
ways of measuring the students interlanguage stages and that there are techniques that make it
easier for the teacher to identify them. This knowledge will be very useful as a future teacher in

order to appropriately place ELLs in the classroom and help them to acquire their second
language.
What I would like to take to the classroom is the ability to analyze students writing
samples in order to identify their interlanguage stages and promote second language
development with focus on the students language needs and to appropriately place them in the
classroom.
The area that I still need to grow relative to standard 4.b. is my knowledge of national
and state requirements, procedures, and instruments for ELL identification, reclassification, and
exit from language support programs.