Test of English Language Learning

Flexible assessments

Screening

TELL allows teachers to screen and identify English language proficiency levels to inform program decisions. Screening assessments help determine which students qualify for services and where to place them.

Diagnostics

TELL's diagnostic tests measure the abilities and skill levels of students. A test administered at the beginning and end of the school year establishes baseline proficiency levels and track growth.

Progress monitors

TELL uses key data to inform instruction throughout the year—a capacity no other language assessment provides. Eight different progress monitors help identify the information you need to inform instruction and create differentiated learning paths.

Interactive interface

English language learners interact with fun, engaging activities that make TELL feel more like a game than a test. They listen, write, read, and speak—all with no markups or grading. Depending on the type, tests take between 20 and 50 minutes to complete.

Easy management

Plug and play

The TELL app only takes a few minutes to download from the App or Google Play stores. Students start with an initial tech check to make sure their tablet's audio and microphone are working properly, and then follow guided video tutorials that help them navigate and get familiar with the app. Convenient, flexible, and scalable, TELL can be used with just one student or with a group.

Ongoing training

Educational technologies are most effective when they go hand in hand with classroom lessons and activities. Pearson offers a variety of training options (all led by certified trainers) to help you implement TELL with fidelity and put your students on the road to academic success. Our on-site professional development workshops and half-day webinars will help you successfully implement TELL and maximize its effectiveness in the classroom.

Multi-level permissioning

The TELL system is an internal Pearson technology environment that supports next-generation learning assessment solutions. Teachers and administrators can create classes or custom groups, set up test sessions, monitor testing, and view scores through reports. Administrators can use the system to manage licenses, upload student rosters, and view scores.

Measurable results

Automated scoring

TELL provides highly efficient, consistent, and objective scoring on four foundational skills and seven sub-skills. Unlike conventional language assessments, TELL uses speech recognition technology to automatically score students' spoken and written responses. This automated scoring technology has been researched, validated, and used for more than a decade as part of Pearson's language assessments and language instructional systems. Real-time reporting

Reports are available in minutes so educators know early, quickly, and often where English language learners are in relation to proficiency levels. There are two types of reports: list reports and aggregate reports. List reports show student results for each assessment in an interactive roster format that allows educators to dive deeper for more information. Aggregate reports show a composite view of results and are especially useful for school and district administrators. All reports can be exported and uploaded into a student information system.

Standards alignment

TELL aligns with World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA), English Language Development Standards (ELD), and other state standards. TELL also helps meet key Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements for English language learners. To learn more about TELL standards alignment, see our FAQs.