PPLI Annual Report (2019) - Flipbook - Page 11
Collaboration with and dissemination of work by Council of Europe and European
Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) (1.C.10)
Action Update
Cooperation with the European Centre for Modern Languages continued in 2019. A further ECML - EU
RELANG project training workshop: Relating language curricula, tests and examinations to the Common
European Framework of Reference workshop was organized in February 2019.
The first part of this workshop (Day One) focussed on providing stakeholders (policy makers, inspectors,
examiners, supervisors of item writers, providers of ITE and CPD and other experts) with an understanding of
the implications of the publication of the new Companion Volume to the CEFR and the implications of this for
assessment.
The second part of the workshop (Days Two and Three) focussed on Classroom Based Assessments,
supporting teachers and ITE providers with understanding how the broad alignment of the new Junior Cycle
curriculum with the CEFR can be reflected in assessment, training teaches to create items that test students’
proficiency on the A1/A2 bands of the CEFR, and working with teachers on the new ‘plus levels’ and the new
‘Pre-A1’ level exploring how these relate to teaching and learning.
Participants became acquainted with the procedures for the alignment of tests and examinations to the CEFR
and gained some experience in producing tasks and items for the relevant skills. At various stages of the
workshop protocols and descriptions of alignment procedures were suggested that may be implemented in
the process of test development and used routinely by the local examination developers and administrators.
Key procedures and stages for the formal alignment of tests and examinations to the CEFR were also
presented.
In relation to the development of valid foreign language examinations linked to the CEFR, the following
actions were recommended:
•
Develop the format and the content of sections of the examinations and their items;
•
Involve more experts in group decisions when developing items;
•
Specify the examinations in terms of the CEFR using forms A1–A 14 published by the Council of Europe;
•
Introduce piloting and pre-testing.
Impact
“A great few days with lots of rich discussion, much appreciated”
“Very interesting and insightful day”
Next Steps
•
The ECML consultants indicated that they would be pleased to continue to provide assistance during the
above stages in the development of valid examinations linked to the CEFR
•
Continue to disseminate CEFR at relevant events
•
Continue to collaborate with ECML consultants in the context of the new LC languages
11
11