EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO & GLOBAL LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO

1. EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO & GLOBAL LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO Title VI 50th Anniversary Conference (March 19, 2009) Patricia W. Cummins Virginia Commonwealth University pcummins@vcu.edu

2. Assessing Language Skills and Intercultural Competence • American Language Rating Scales • European Language Rating Scales • Evaluating Intercultural Competence • Self assessment / formal testing • Europass or Global Language Portfolio

3. U. S. Government Interagency Language Roundtable(ILR) Scale • 0 or 0+ -- Novice level • 1 or 1+ -- Intermediate level • 2 or 2+ -- Advanced level (minimal working proficiency / business equivalents) • 3 or 3+ -- Superior (full working proficiency) • 4 or 4+ -- Distinguished (translator/interpreter)

4. American National Standards • National Standards Collaborative – ACTFL+ others • ACTFL-ETS Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening • Novice (Low, Mid, High) • Intermediate(Low, Mid, High) • Advanced(Low, Mid, High) • Superior • Distinguished • FIVE C’s -- Communication + Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, Communities

5. COMMON FRAMEWORKCouncil of Europe / European Union • BASIC USERS (A1 and A2) • INDEPENDENT USERS (B1 and B2) • PROFICIENT USERS (C1 and C2) • European tests all use this scale– e.g., Alliance Française / Goethe Institut

6. European Language Portfolio • Skill assessment – common framework • Language passport summary • Language biography self assessment checklists (what you “can do” by level) • Language dossier – official certifications and tests + oral and written samples

7. Europass used in language / culture assessment by employers • EuropassLanguage Passport -- summary of language skills and cultural experiences • Europass Standard cv • Diploma supplements and tools • http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

8. Global Language Portfoliohttp://www.globallanguageportfolio.com

9. Global Language Portfolio • Welcome Page • Language Passport • Language Biography • Dossier

10. Global Language Portfolio European vs. Global Assessment • Global Language Passport referencing American and European rating scales • Assessment of current skills and future goals (Language Biography checklists) • Dossier to document certifications or test results, plus oral and written samples

11. Global Language Portfolio Web Site • Learning – personal goals and planning strategies based on self-assessments • Teaching – textbooks, planned activities • Assessment – based on self-assessment and formal testing or certification

12. Writing job descriptions and screening applicants • Determine what language skills are needed for a specific open position. • Assess skills of employees / job applicants based on “can do” checklists. • Use American or European rating levels in job descriptions / evaluation process.

13. Language training & preparation for international assignments • Establish realistic time tables to achieve language skill levels. • Match training programs or software to goals identified in “can do” statements. • Match testing and certifications to skills • Tailor training to meet language needs.

14. Hiring and training culturally competent managers • How comfortable are audience members? • Pre-survey used for course on Language and Identity in the Arab World • Suggested readings and self-help books on handout