IMPLEMENTING CREATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES IN TESOL CLASSROOMS

This paper explores the organization and implementation of creative assessment in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Traditional assessment methods often emphasize standardized testing and discrete language knowledge, which may not fully reflect learners’ communicative competence or creative abilities. In response, creative assessment offers learner-centered, authentic, and flexible evaluation strategies that align with communicative language teaching principles. Using a mixed-methods research design, this study investigates the impact of creative assessment techniques—such as project-based assessment, portfolios, role-plays, peer assessment, and digital tools—on learners’ language proficiency, motivation, and autonomy. The findings reveal that creative assessment significantly enhances speaking and writing skills, increases learner engagement, and reduces assessment-related anxiety. Despite challenges related to time management and reliability, the study concludes that creative assessment represents an effective and sustainable approach for TESOL contexts when supported by clear rubrics and teacher training.