How can Mrs. Tokko best assess her students' pragmatic language skills?

Assessing students' pragmatic language skills involves understanding how they use language in social contexts, including their ability to effectively communicate and interact with others. Observing social interactions among students provides the most direct insight into their pragmatic language use.

During these interactions, a teacher can evaluate how students initiate and maintain conversations, interpret non-verbal cues, and adjust their language based on context and audience. This observational approach allows Mrs. Tokko to gather authentic data about how her students engage with peers, respond to social cues, and navigate social norms, which is crucial for understanding their pragmatic competencies.

In contrast, standardized tests may not adequately capture the nuances of pragmatic language use, as they often focus on formal language structures rather than social interaction. Individual reading assessments primarily evaluate literacy skills and may not reveal much about how students use language in social situations. Written reflection assignments can provide insights into a student's thoughts and understanding but may not reflect their real-time language use in interactions with others. Observational assessments thus stand out as the most effective method for this specific purpose.