How well does the student understand? As important as it is to identify "what" (content) students should learn, it is equally important do determine "how well" students are communicating in the second language (performance). Both national and New Jersey standards emphasize performance in the second language and ask these questions:

• How well is the student understood?
• How well does the student understand?
• How accurate is the student's language?
• How well does the student use vocabulary?
• How well does the student use cultural knowledge when using the second language?
• How well does the student maintain communication?