Assessing language proficiency is a critical component in education, immigration, and professional settings, where accurate evaluation of linguistic competence is essential. This paper explores the comparative roles of standardized tests and alternative assessment methods in evaluating language proficiency. Standardized tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS, are widely recognized for their reliability, scalability, and global applicability. However, they often fail to capture the contextual and pragmatic aspects of language use. Alternative assessment methods, such as portfolios, performance-based tasks, and self-assessments, provide a more holistic and learner-centered approach but face challenges related to subjectivity and scalability. This research highlights the strengths and limitations of both approaches, emphasizing the need for a hybrid model that leverages the reliability of standardized tests with the contextual depth of alternative methods. The paper also examines the role of technology, including AI and adaptive testing, in bridging the gap between these assessment paradigms. Ultimately, the study advocates for an integrated framework that ensures comprehensive, equitable, and practical language proficiency evaluation.

Language Proficiency, Standardized Tests, Alternative Assessment Methods ,Communicative Competence, Holistic Evaluation, Language Testing