Implementing CEFR in tertiary context: compromises and balance

DOUPOVCOVÁ, Radmila and Eva SLOŽILOVÁ. Implementing CEFR in tertiary context: compromises and balance. In The CEFR and Language Testing and Assessment – Where are we now. 2014.

Basic information

• Original name: Implementing CEFR in tertiary context: compromises and balance
• Authors: DOUPOVCOVÁ, Radmila (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Eva SLOŽILOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: The CEFR and Language Testing and Assessment – Where are we now, 2014.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60200 6.2 Languages and Literature
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14640/14:00076174
• Organization unit: Language Centre
• Keywords in English: CEFR; compromises; balance; standardization; consequences
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

Developing standardized language tests at university language centres is a highly demanding process full of compromises aimed at seeking balance within multi-faceted contexts of tertiary level language teaching. The proper ratio of proficiency and achievement, reasonable proportion between language for specific and language for academic purposes reflecting curricula and syllabi, appropriate weighting of language skills and subskills dominated by CEFR level descriptors represent just the tip of the iceberg. The first part of the poster will present primary achievements and obstacles within a language test standardization process of a central European university language centre with regard to implementing CEFR. It will also contextualize the ambitious project encompassing nine faculties and four foreign languages and provide basic background information necessary for a closer look at the situation in one of the faculties. The second part of the poster presentation follows up on the topic by submitting an example of the development of new final tests in legal English. The reasons that have led to replacing the current tests with the new ones lie in the effort to make the tests more corresponding to the criteria of CEFR and especially to the real needs of prospective lawyers. The poster will focus on the process of designing the new final tests, its challenges, and also the consequences and impact the tests will have on future language education at the faculty of law of the university.

Links

• CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0233, interní kód MU: Name: Inovace, metodika a kvalita jazykového vzdělávání a odborného vzdělávání v cizích jazycích v terciární sféře v ČR (Acronym: IMPACT)

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, 2.2 Higher education