Languages, Volume 10, Issue 9
2025 September - 43 articles
Cover Story: Accurate and efficient proficiency measures are crucial for research with heritage language learners, yet most available tools were developed for L2 learners. This study evaluates the Spanish version of LexTALE (LexTALE-ESP), a rapid vocabulary-based test, against ACTFL-rated Writing Proficiency in U.S. college heritage speakers of Spanish. Results show that LexTALE-ESP significantly correlates with functional writing proficiency and outperforms self-assessment as a predictor. These findings demonstrate that vocabulary recognition tasks can capture core aspects of written language ability, challenging assumptions that heritage language learners’ assessment must be entirely distinct from L2 approaches. However, LexTALE-ESP lacks the precision needed for placement or other high-stakes decisions. View this paper - Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list .
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