Language Assessment Testing

Ok, I need help on this one. I have an ESL student here in Vegas who wants me to do an assessment on her before she starts her English class in the fall. Anybody know of some good ones that aren’t expensive? I tutor her for free so I honestly don’t have money to spend on one of the “official” ones. I saw some online, however, I wasn’t sure about them. Thanks for the help in advance!

I have the very same question, Raquel, so I look forward to reading your responses!!!

I am positively desperate to find out what I can use, since I will be assessing students for an online English school in the next week or so. Raquel: can you tell me what you did find that didn’t cost a fortune? Thanks!

When a student asks me for an assessment, I assess them as follows:

• I have them write a composition. This allows me to judge their grammar and writing.
• I speak with them. I use a structured speech approach. I’ll choose a topic that I know the student is familiar with and I make believe I am a “talk show host” and interview them. I’ll ask some tough questions that I know will make my student think.
• If the student is learning a language for job-related reasons, simulate that job environment.
• Choose a topic on Wikipedia. Have the student read it and ask them questions.

Hope my advice provides some help.