MELA-O - what is it?
How can I be trained in the MELA-O?
Why should I be trained in the MELA-O?
When are the trainings and how do I register?
Once I complete the training what happens?
Can I re-take the MELA-O test?

MELA-O - what is it?
Massachusetts English Language Assessment-Oral (MELA-O) is the assessment that is used to evaluate the English speaking and listening skills of limited English proficient (LEP) students. All LEP students in Massachusetts must be administered the MELA-O by a qualified MELA-O administrator (QMA) each year.

How can I be trained in the MELA-O?
The training to become a qualified MELA-O administrator or QMA is offered here at the Lynch School for LSOE students in the TELL certificate program, for the Donovan Students and other interested students. The training consists of ten hours total: two or more training sessions totaling 8 hours and 2 hours of practice in use of the MELA-O to assess students.

Why should I be trained in the MELA-O?
The Department of Education is required by Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to collect and report the MELA-O scores for all Limited English Proficient (LEP) students enrolled in all districts. Regular education teachers who are QMAs are in an excellent position to assess the LEPs in their own classrooms. In addition, districts with a high incidence of LEPs encourage their teachers to complete this training. If you are in the TELL certificate program it is a requirement, since it is one of the required categories of skills and knowledge identified by the State DOE necessary for teachers to be qualified to teach English Language Learners. Successful completion of the MELA-O is not a graduation requirement.

When are the trainings and how do I register?

MELA-O training dates and location for Fall 2011:

Saturday February 4, 2012
12:15 - 4:15 PM                   
Campion Hall Room G16 (ERC Classroom)

Saturday February 11, 2012
12:15 - 4:15 PM                     
Campion Hall Room G16 (ERC Classroom)

NOTE:  Participants must attend BOTH days. The eight hours of training are required as well as two hours of classroom observation of an English Language Learner.

Registration:  Please contact Anne Dolan at adesl@aol.com

Assessment of Speaking and Listening /MELA-O covers:

• Multiple dimensions of oral proficiency: comprehension, production, fluency, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
• Concept of communicative competence and its role in assessment.
• The six levels of oral proficiency assessed by the MELA-O, and their relation to the four levels of English language proficiency as described in the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Benchmarks and Outcomes.

Once I complete the training what happens?
Once you successfully complete the training and pass the MELA-O test you will receive a score report from DESE and a BC certificate as a QMA.

This way you will be listed on the official DOE website of QMAs by district.

Can I re-take the MELA-O test?
Only students who have already attended the MELA-O trainings and have taken the MELA-O test can re-take the test as many times as they choose.

MELA-O Qualifying Test Results

Results from this test will be mailed to participants available approximately 60 days after the test.