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The French way of doing it. International civilian examinations. TOEIC T est of E nglish for I nternational C ommunication TOEFL T est o f E nglish as a F oreign L anguage BULATS Bu siness La nguage T esting S ervice Cambridge ESOL examinations
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International civilian examinations • TOEIC Test of English for International Communication • TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language • BULATS Business Language Testing Service • Cambridge ESOL examinations (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
What are the assessed skills? • TOEIC Oral and written understanding Writing and speaking skills (recent tests but are optional) • TOEFL (paper-based test) Reading, listening and writing Skills • BULATS Reading and listening skills Writing and speaking skills • Cambridge ESOL examinations English vocabulary and grammar Reading and listening skills Writing and speaking skills
Civilian examinations National Examinations • Bachelor’sorMaster’s degreesin English from French universities • DCLDiplôme de Compétence en Langue “Diploma in Language Skills” French ministry of education
STANAG 6001 Level 1,2 & 3 • Depending on your scores in the TOEIC, TOEFL or BULATS you can reachlevel 1, 2 or 3 mentioned in STANAG 6001 Other alternative: • If you pass one of the Cambridge ESOL examinations (PET, FCE, CAE or CPE) you can also reachlevel 1, 2or3 mentioned in STANAG 6001
Military Certificates of Languages • MCL 1 (functional) Level 2 STANAG 6001 • MCL 2 (professional) Level 3 STANAG 6001 MCL1 and MCL 2 are given to our military personnel throughcivilian examinations. • MCL 3 (expert) Level 4 STANAG 6001 • Level 4 can only be reached and recognized by the French military with a Military Certificate of Languages in English 3
The French navy • The French navy opted for theTOEICto assess its sailors in English.
Why? • Because there are several TOEIC sessions organized per month. • For the navy the TOEIC is the cheapest test compared to other English-language examinations. • The TOEIC is recognized around the world.
Military Certificates of Languages • TOEIC score between 605 and 850 Military Certificate of Languages 1 (functional) (MCL1) • Level 2 STANAG 6001 • TOEIC score ≥ 851 Military Certificate of Languages 2 (professional) (MCL2) Level 3 STANAG 6001
Passing rates in 2007-2008 • 36,24%French Navy personnel got a high enough score in the TOEIC to reach: • Level 2 STANAG 6001 • 9,45%French Navy personnel got a score ≥ 851 in the TOEIC to reach: Level 3 STANAG 6001
Passing rates in 2007-2008 • 62,04%naval officers got a high enough score in the TOEIC to reach: • Level 2 STANAG 6001 • 31,47%naval officers got a score ≥ 851 in the TOEIC to reach: Level 3 STANAG 6001
What about the French Army? Très bonne question !
Parlez-vous anglais? • An off-the-shelf system, • Relying on: • courses provided by a ‘private’ company • the outsourcing of examinations up to level3 • a few military safeguards.
Parlez-vous anglais? • Overview • Why we got there • What it is today • Limitations • Safeguards
1996: Languages policy • 1) English (a lot!) • 2) German (less but on a regular basis!) • 3) Russian and Arabic (some specialists!) • 4) other languages (a few of each!)
English language policy • Emphasis is on everyday language • In accordance with STANAG 6001: 4 levels (SLP) • 1) Main effort on English for officers • 2) Open to some NCOs • 4) Optimize what is already known • 5) Need to improve cost/efficiency (25% did not take tests)
Implementation • Setting-up of distance learning courses (private sector) • Spreading of military language software • Introduction of mil. vocabulary mandatory modules in mil. schools: M1 to M4 (Jr NCO to Staff officers) • Priority given to everyday language • Motivation and coercion: (Cadet officers and senior officers)
2003: another step further • Outsourcing of examinations up to level3 • E-learning (contracted company) • The target is level3 for: • 100% officers • 11% NCOs • 3% privates
Today • E-learning (3 courses a year) 1000 pers. • 5-month course • CD Rom • 7 meetings with a teacher • Passing rates: • SLP2: 91% • SLP3: 58%
Mon tailleur est riche • 1 test a year (69€) up to level3 • Tests + university degrees conversions: • 2005: 600 level1 & 1500 level2 & 1200 level3 • 2006: 200 level1 & 1200 level2 & 1500 level3 • 2007: 300 level1 & 1000 level2 & 1500 level3
Today • Level3 compulsory for officers’ higher military studies • 4 English language modules (NCO, Branch, Staff schools) • Exams, results, taken into account by Personnel management office
System’s limits • Availability of learners during e-courses • 15% quit for ops reasons • Many others quit on numerous grounds!! • Motivation for homework • Exam is to be taken within 6 months after the end of course: 50% comply • A test of L,S,R,W on civilian topics
A few safeguards • Up to level3 managed by ‘specialists’ • Military language modules • Military exam level4 is demanding • NATO assignment? • SLP test in Strasburg!