Should We Grade Speaking at the Novice Level?
I used to avoid novice speaking assessments to keep anxiety low—but I started to wonder if I was missing a chance to build confidence. By making speaking low-stakes and playful for most of the year, then gradually adding informal assessments, students wanted to communicate. The result? More joy, more risk-taking, and real growth.

Not always—and that’s okay. While we aim to maximize TL use, deep cultural reflection often requires the clarity of a student’s first language. I use a hybrid approach: Spanish for products and practices, English for perspectives. The result? More meaningful connections, better empathy, and stronger intercultural skills.