Register now or log in to join your professional community.
This misconception surfaced due to the fact that any language including English needs a lot of practice to learn. Mostly students try to avoid it which becomes a hurdle in smooth progress. It compells the teachers to hang the sword of a test on the heads of the students to push them forward.
Otherwise meausring progress is not an issue as Peter said in his answer.
If I was teaching English, as a Foreign language, I would fully expect to know EXACTLY what level my students had attained on a daily basis. I wouldn't need exams to tell me where their strengths and weaknesses were, that is something I could ascertain just through the course ol a lesson. Exams however might be needed to fulfill the requirements of the local education regulatory board by way of "proving" results.