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The
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning,
Teaching, Assessment , abbreviated as CEF or CEFR, is a guideline used to describe
achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe . It was put together by the Council
of Europe as the main part of the project "Language Learning
for European Citizenship" between 1989 and 1996 . Its main aim is to provide a method of assessing and
teaching which applies to all languages in Europe. In November 2001 a European
Union Council Resolution recommended using the CEFR to set
up systems of validation of language ability. The six reference
levels (see below) are becoming widely accepted as the European
standard for grading an individual's language proficiency.
Nonetheless, existing examination boards have retained their
own naming conventions, e.g. "Intermediate", which are, arguably,
easier for them, and their students, to remember.
UNIcert (for different languages of both European and
non-European countries), which is used in several European
countries, is a university-language-education standard based
on the CEF.
The
ALTE ( Association
of Language Testers in Europe ) "Can Do" project developed
a simplified set of 400+ descriptors for language examinations which
relate to the Common Reference Levels. These descriptors are in
the form of "can-do statements", each saying more simply what a
learner can do at every level. There are four sections: general,
social/ tourist, work and study. The ALTE project also gave its
own names to the CEF levels: "Breakthrough level" - "Level 5".
The
ALTE was founded by the University
of Cambridge in conjunction with the University
of Salamanca so the first exams to be related to their "Can-Do"
statements were the Cambridge
EFL exams . However, today many more examining boards link their
exams to the system. Below is a table of some examinations as an
example.
The
Academic Module is intended for those who wish to enroll
in universities and other institutions of higher
education .
The
General Training Module is intended for those planning to
undertake non-academic training or to gain work
experience, or for immigration purposes.
IELTS
is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish,
New Zealand and South African academic institutions, by an
increasing number of academic institutions in the USA, and
by various professional organizations. It is also a requirement
for migration to Australia and Canada.
Task-based
language learning (TBLL),
also known as Task-based
language teaching (TBLT) or Task-based instruction (TBI) is a method of instruction in the field of language
acquisition. It focuses on the use of authentic and to the students
meaningful tasks using the target language; for example, visiting
the doctor, conducting an interview, or calling customer services
for help. Assessment is primarily based on task outcome (i.e.: the
appropriate completion of tasks) rather than simply accuracy of
language forms. This makes TBLL especially popular for developing
target language fluency and student confidence.
TBLL
was popularised by N.
Prabhu while working in Bangalore,
India . Prabhu figured out that his students could learn language
just as easily with a non-linguistic problem as when they are concentrating
on linguistic questions.
Jane
Willis broke it into three sections. The pre-task, the task cycle,
and the language focus.
View
full components listing for Cambridge Preliminary English
Test Extra
Corporate Author Cambridge ESOL
Four
authentic PET papers from Cambridge ESOL with extra guidance
and exam tips, plus CD-ROM. Cambridge Exams Extra is a new
series providing authentic past papers from Cambridge ESOL,
plus a wealth of extra material for use in the classroom or
for self-study. This title contains four complete PET past
papers from Cambridge ESOL, a useful exam overview and helpful
guidance on tackling each part of each paper. The accompanying
CD-ROM contains the same four papers that appear in the book,
giving students the option of trying out the PET in electronic
format.
Check
the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop.
Complete
First Certificate is a new course for the 2008 revised FCE
exam. Informed by the Cambridge Learner Corpus and providing
a complete FCE exam paper specially prepared for publication
by Cambridge ESOL, it is the most authentic exam preparation
course available.
Check
the availability and buy your books from our Bookshop.
