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The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing

Year 2014, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 79 - 88, 31.12.2014

Abstract

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (Council of Europe, 2001) which aims to bring about harmonisation and transparency within Europe and promote the idea of European citizenship is a project that provides the stakeholders with a reference document that could be utilised  not only for developing language curriculum and syllabus, preparing course books but also for evaluating the learning outcomes. In terms of language testing, the major claim of the CEFR is its potential to be used as a reference point to design of new language tests and make a comparison among the existing language tests by setting standards. Council of Europe (2001) also makes clear that the CEFR could be used for the specification of the content of the test and exams, setting the criteria of assessment and describing the levels of proficiency in tests. Though the CEFR has a great potential for playing a crucial role in language testing, the issues of developing and aligning tests to the CEFR need to be considered with a critical eye. Hence, the present study is an attempt to examine the practical considerations and potential problems related to the CEFR in terms of language testing and to discuss some practical implications for language testers and language teachers in terms of test generation and alignment.

References

  • Alderson, J. C. (2002). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Alderson, J. C., Figueras, N., Kuijper, H., Nold, G., Takala, S., & Tardieu, C. (2004). The development of specifications for item development and classification within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Reading and listening. Final report of the Dutch CEF construct project. Unpublished document.
  • Alderson, J. C., Figueras, N., Kuijper, H., Nold, G., Takala, S., & Tardieu, C. (2006). Analysing tests of reading and listening in relation to the Common European Framework of Reference: The experience of the Dutch CEFR construct project. Language Assessment Quarterly, 3(1), 3-30.
  • Alderson, C. J. (2007). The CEFR and the need for more research. The Modern Language Journal, 91(4), 659-663.
  • Bachman, L. F. (1990). Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Bechger,T. , M., Kuijper, H., & Maris, G. (2009). Standard setting in relation to the common European framework of reference for languages: The case of the state examination of Dutch as a second language. Language Assessment Quarterly, 6(2), 126-150.
  • Council of Europe. (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for language learning and teaching. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Council of Europe. (2003). Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Council of Europe (2009). Manual for relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe. Retrieved from http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Manuel1_EN.asp
  • Figueras, N., North, B., Takala, S., Verhelst, N., & Van Avermaet, P. (2005). Relating examinations to the Common European Framework: A manual. Language Testing, 22, 262-279.
  • Fulcher, G. (2004). Deluded by artifices? The Common European Framework and harmonization. Language Assessment Quarterly, 1(4), 253-26.
  • Harsch, C. & Rupp, A. A. (2011): Designing and scaling level- specific writing tasks in alignment with the CEFR: A test-centered approach. Language Assessment Quarterly, 8(1), 1-33.
  • Huhta, A., Luoma, S., Oscarson, M., Sajavaara, K., Takala, S. & Teasdale, A. (2002). DIALANG: A diagnostic language assessment system for learners. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 130- 145). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Jones, N. (2002). Relating the ALTE framework to the Common European Framework of Reference. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 167-183). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Milanovic, M. (2002). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment: Language examining and test development. Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe.
  • Morrow, K. (Ed.). (2004). Insights from the Common European Framework. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • North, B. (2000a). The development of a common framework scale of language proficiency. New York: Peter Lang.
  • North, B. (2000b). Linking language assessments: An example in a low stakes context. System 28, 555-577.
  • North, B. (2002). A CEF-based self assessment tool for university entrance. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 146-166). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • North, B. (2007). The CEFR illustrative descriptor scales. The Modern Language Journal, 91(4), 656- 659.
  • Weir, C. J. (2005). Limitations of the Common European Framework for developing comparable examinations and tests. Language Testing, 22, 281-300.
  • Avrupa Dilleri Öğretimi Ortak Çerçeve Programı ve yabancı dil öğretiminde ölçmeye dair görüşler

Paşa Tevfik Cephe a *, Tuğba Elif Toprak b

Year 2014, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 79 - 88, 31.12.2014

Abstract

References

  • Alderson, J. C. (2002). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Alderson, J. C., Figueras, N., Kuijper, H., Nold, G., Takala, S., & Tardieu, C. (2004). The development of specifications for item development and classification within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Reading and listening. Final report of the Dutch CEF construct project. Unpublished document.
  • Alderson, J. C., Figueras, N., Kuijper, H., Nold, G., Takala, S., & Tardieu, C. (2006). Analysing tests of reading and listening in relation to the Common European Framework of Reference: The experience of the Dutch CEFR construct project. Language Assessment Quarterly, 3(1), 3-30.
  • Alderson, C. J. (2007). The CEFR and the need for more research. The Modern Language Journal, 91(4), 659-663.
  • Bachman, L. F. (1990). Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Bechger,T. , M., Kuijper, H., & Maris, G. (2009). Standard setting in relation to the common European framework of reference for languages: The case of the state examination of Dutch as a second language. Language Assessment Quarterly, 6(2), 126-150.
  • Council of Europe. (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for language learning and teaching. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Council of Europe. (2003). Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Council of Europe (2009). Manual for relating language examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe. Retrieved from http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Manuel1_EN.asp
  • Figueras, N., North, B., Takala, S., Verhelst, N., & Van Avermaet, P. (2005). Relating examinations to the Common European Framework: A manual. Language Testing, 22, 262-279.
  • Fulcher, G. (2004). Deluded by artifices? The Common European Framework and harmonization. Language Assessment Quarterly, 1(4), 253-26.
  • Harsch, C. & Rupp, A. A. (2011): Designing and scaling level- specific writing tasks in alignment with the CEFR: A test-centered approach. Language Assessment Quarterly, 8(1), 1-33.
  • Huhta, A., Luoma, S., Oscarson, M., Sajavaara, K., Takala, S. & Teasdale, A. (2002). DIALANG: A diagnostic language assessment system for learners. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European framework of reference for languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 130- 145). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Jones, N. (2002). Relating the ALTE framework to the Common European Framework of Reference. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 167-183). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • Milanovic, M. (2002). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment: Language examining and test development. Strasbourg, France: Council of Europe.
  • Morrow, K. (Ed.). (2004). Insights from the Common European Framework. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • North, B. (2000a). The development of a common framework scale of language proficiency. New York: Peter Lang.
  • North, B. (2000b). Linking language assessments: An example in a low stakes context. System 28, 555-577.
  • North, B. (2002). A CEF-based self assessment tool for university entrance. In J. C. Alderson (Ed.), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Case studies (pp. 146-166). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  • North, B. (2007). The CEFR illustrative descriptor scales. The Modern Language Journal, 91(4), 656- 659.
  • Weir, C. J. (2005). Limitations of the Common European Framework for developing comparable examinations and tests. Language Testing, 22, 281-300.
  • Avrupa Dilleri Öğretimi Ortak Çerçeve Programı ve yabancı dil öğretiminde ölçmeye dair görüşler
There are 22 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Paşa Cephe

Elif Toprak

Publication Date December 31, 2014
Published in Issue Year 2014 Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Cephe, P., & Toprak, E. (2014). The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 10(1), 79-88.
AMA Cephe P, Toprak E. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. April 2014;10(1):79-88.
Chicago Cephe, Paşa, and Elif Toprak. “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for Language Testing”. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 10, no. 1 (April 2014): 79-88.
EndNote Cephe P, Toprak E (April 1, 2014) The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 10 1 79–88.
IEEE P. Cephe and E. Toprak, “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing”, Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 79–88, 2014.
ISNAD Cephe, Paşa - Toprak, Elif. “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for Language Testing”. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies 10/1 (April 2014), 79-88.
JAMA Cephe P, Toprak E. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. 2014;10:79–88.
MLA Cephe, Paşa and Elif Toprak. “The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for Language Testing”. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, 2014, pp. 79-88.
Vancouver Cephe P, Toprak E. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Insights for language testing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies. 2014;10(1):79-88.