Beyond Grades: Measuring What Language Learners Can Do with Languages They Are Learning
- Adam Slaton
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
Project AERO and Language Assessments: A Case for Measuring Language with the AAPPL
By Gosia Jaros-White, Language Testing International
In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingualism is essential. The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report” lists it among the top 20 essential skills for the future, and the demand for multilingual workers is increasing. Educators at American and international schools know that teaching languages is a core component of a solid education, and they are committed to preparing well-rounded global citizens who will succeed in the global economy.
But how can schools effectively measure and support students’ language growth in a way that aligns with 21st-century learning goals and international standards? The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) offers a clear answer.
What Is the AAPPL?
The AAPPL is an innovative, online assessment developed by ACTFL® and administered by Language Testing International® (LTI). It is the gold standard in measuring real-world language ability across the four language domains: interpersonal listening and speaking, presentational writing, interpretive reading, and interpretive listening, using tasks that reflect authentic, everyday communication.
The AAPPL is built on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-2024 and the ACTFL Performance Descriptors for Language Learners, making it a standards-based tool that evaluates what students can do in the target language, rather than what they’ve memorized. It is available in 11 languages and is used widely in the United States and internationally by schools pursuing proficiency-based models.
The AAPPL and Proficiency-Based Education
Proficiency-based education shifts the focus from seat time and textbook completion to what students can actually do with the language. It’s about preparing learners to use language in meaningful, real-life contexts, whether in school, in the workplace, at home, in their community, or around the globe.
The AAPPL supports this model in several key ways:
It measures actual language use, not just knowledge or understanding of class materials.
It provides performance data and clear and actionable feedback based on proficiency targets.
It allows educators to track progress over time and make informed decisions about instruction.
It helps students understand their own growth and set goals for improvement.
It measures interpersonal speaking skills in everyday, unrehearsed settings. It is the only test available that measures the interpersonal speaking mode.
By integrating the AAPPL into a school’s language program, educators gain a powerful, reliable way to assess student progress and program effectiveness, while staying true to the philosophy of proficiency-based learning.
What Is Project AERO?
Project AERO (American Education Reaches Out) is an initiative funded by the U.S. State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools. It was designed to help American and international schools develop and implement standards-based curricula aligned with best practices in U.S. education. For world languages, Project AERO draws directly on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and ACTFL-NCSSFL Can-Do Statements as the foundation for curriculum development, instruction, and assessment.
In short, Project AERO takes a proficiency-based approach to language learning, focusing on what students are able to communicate and understand in real-life situations. For schools that have adopted the AERO World Languages Standards, the AAPPL is a natural and ideal fit.
Why the AAPPL Is the Right Assessment for AERO-Aligned Schools
If your school is aligned with AERO standards, or moving in that direction, the AAPPL offers unparalleled alignment. Here’s why:
Shared Language and Frameworks. Both the AAPPL and AERO are built on ACTFL’s proficiency scale (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced), ensuring consistency between classroom goals, instruction, and assessment. That means less guesswork, more cohesion, and a clear roadmap for growth.
Formative and Summative Use. The AAPPL can be used as a benchmarking tool, a formative progress check, and a summative evaluation. This flexibility makes it ideal for use across grades and instructional stages, assessing learner ability from Novice Low to Advanced Low.
Student-Centered and Authentic. Tasks in the AAPPL mimic authentic communication, such as video chatting with a friend or writing a message. This makes the test more meaningful and engaging for students while providing educators with an accurate picture of what learners can do in real-life situations.
Data to Drive Instruction. The AAPPL not only provides test scores, but it also comes with robust reporting tools, allowing educators to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement. Administrators can use AAPPL data to guide professional development, curriculum planning, and program evaluation.
International Recognition. The AAPPL is used by schools around the world. It is the only assessment that issues ACTFL® scores, a credential widely recognized and respected across education, business, and government sectors. Developed by ACTFL, the organization that sets the gold standard for proficiency-based language instruction and assessment, the AAPPL ensures that scores reflect rigorous, internationally benchmarked performance standards. An ACTFL score is a portable, credible indicator of what a learner can do with the language. For international and American schools alike, this makes the AAPPL not only a powerful instructional tool, but also a globally recognized credential that adds value to a student’s academic and professional journey.
Going Beyond Grades: The AAPPL as a Pathway to Purpose
World languages are more than course subjects; they’re skills for life. When students see that their progress is measured based on how well they can communicate with others, it transforms their motivation. The AAPPL supports programs whose goal it is to provide a clear, achievable path to real-world communication, building confidence, engagement, and a sense of accomplishment.
It also supports teachers by giving them reliable, standards-aligned tools to assess their students in ways that are instructionally meaningful and professionally rewarding.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a valid and reliable assessment tool or striving to align your program with ACTFL or AERO standards, the AAPPL delivers. It’s a future-focused assessment that promotes communication, celebrates growth, and connects seamlessly to proficiency-based education models.
If your school is committed to producing global citizens and language learners who can thrive in a multilingual world, then measuring performance toward proficiency with the AAPPL is not just a smart choice, it’s an essential one.
Ready to bring the AAPPL to your program? Our team has helped many American and international schools set up testing with the AAPPL to benchmark, measure growth, and provide students with official AAPPL scores. We are happy to show you the difference the AAPPL can make in your program. Contact us to learn more and to bring the AAPPL to your school.
About the Author:
Gosia Jaros-White is a bilingual marketer with nearly two decades of experience in educational publishing. Holding a master's degree in applied linguistics from Montclair State University, she has dedicated her career to supporting English language learners and advocating for language education. Currently working at Language Testing International (LTI), Gosia drives initiatives that promote the value of language proficiency certification for both academic and professional success. She is especially passionate about dual language immersion, CTE programs, and global education initiatives like Level Up Village, where she works to connect students worldwide through project-based learning. A seasoned communicator and strategic thinker, Gosia brings both empathy and expertise to her work, helping schools, educators, and families unlock the power of multilingualism.
