The portfolio as a means of authentic assessment and development

The present work attempts to review the international literature as well as to study the results of previous research in order to clarify the parameters of the portfolio concept as an innovative method of assessment in teaching French as a foreign language. However in addition to the degree of application and effectiveness of the new method in the global educational enterprise it is also investigated whether it can be functionally and effectively integrated into language classrooms. To this end a questionnaire was conducted among teachers of French as a foreign language to examine the use of the portfolio as a means of authentic assessment and professional development of the learner.