Which term describes assessment conducted during a course to support language learning?

• A. Formative assessment
• B. Formative evaluation
• C. Genre analysis
• D. Global revision

Answer: (A)

Formative assessment is assessment conducted during instruction to monitor student learning and provide timely feedback that guides the next steps. In language learning, teachers use it to continuously check speaking, listening, reading, and writing progress and adjust instruction, offering feedback that helps learners address gaps before a final evaluation. This ongoing, feedback-oriented purpose is what makes it the best fit for supporting learning throughout a course. Genre analysis focuses on how language is used in particular genres, not on assessing student progress during instruction. Global revision is about editing a text, not measuring learning. While you may hear “formative evaluation” in some contexts, the standard classroom term for ongoing, instructional assessment is formative assessment.