THE IMPACT OF MULTILINGUALISM ON ASSESSING DISCOURSE COMPETENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEARNERS

Multilingualism has become increasingly prevalent in primary education systems worldwide. This paper explores how multilingualism influences the assessment of discourse competence among primary school learners. By examining linguistic, cognitive, and social factors, the study highlights both the challenges and opportunities that arise in multilingual environments. Findings suggest that multilingual learners often develop advanced discourse skills but may face difficulties in standardized assessments designed for monolingual contexts. The article proposes strategies to create more inclusive and effective assessment practices.