OBSTACLES AND ADVANCEMENTS IN LANGUAGE EVALUATION WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION
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Abstract
Language assessment in higher education is a vital component of academic development, serving both as a gatekeeping mechanism and a means of monitoring student progress. Despite its importance, institutions face a range of persistent and emerging challenges that hinder the effectiveness and fairness of language testing. These challenges include issues related to test validity and reliability, the limitations of standardized testing formats, cultural and linguistic biases, and the difficulty of accurately measuring communicative competence in diverse student populations. Furthermore, global trends such as internationalization, multilingualism, and the integration of digital learning environments have placed additional demands on language assessment frameworks.
At the same time, recent innovations are transforming how language proficiency is measured. The emergence of technology-enhanced assessments, including computer-adaptive testing, automated scoring systems, and AI-driven analytics, has introduced new possibilities for more personalized and efficient evaluation. Performance-based assessments, portfolios, and formative assessment models are also gaining traction, emphasizing real-world language use and learner-centered approaches.
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