The central theme of this unit is gaining a general familiarity with the Common European Framework of Reference which served as a basis for the Framework of English for Higher Education.
[wptabsy shortcode_id=”547″ alignment=”left” active=”#f9f9f9,#1e73be,#CECECE” inactive=”#111111,#fcfcfc,#CECECE” tabcontent=”#111111,#ffffff,#CECECE”][tab icon=”fa-search”]Overview[/tab][tab icon=”fa-comments”]Discussion[/tab][tab icon=”fa-pencil-square-o”]Activities[/tab][tab icon=”fa-book”]Resources[/tab][tabcontent]
What you will learn and do in Unit 1
In short, the CEFR is a project of the Council of Europe that was first published in 2001 (as the CEF). The main aim of the CEFR is to give language professionals and language learners “a practical tool for setting clear standards to be attained at successive stages of learning and for evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable manner” (Council of Europe CEFR main website).It describes what language learners/users can do at different stages of language acquisition, in a range of situations, contexts and fields of language use.
The purpose of the CEFR “is to help the user to consider the coverage of the learning programme or examination with which they are concerned: What are the priority areas and what level of proficiency is appropriate in each area?” (Brian North, in the Report of the Intergovernmental Language Policy Forum 2007).
There are very many resources included in this unit. The main reason for the vast number of resources is the spread of the CEFR across the globe (though it is a European conceptualization, it is often considered today as being implemented “from China to Chile”). You can find the CEFR document itself under the heading “Resources” in the folder titled The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and various accompanying written materials. In the resource section you will also find video clips about the origins, evolution and critique of the CEFR. It is suggested that you view these video clips to get a general idea about the CEFR. You could then read more about it in any one of the various documents in the folder.
After learning about the CEFR you are invited to participate in a forum discussion. The forum can be found under the heading “Discussion”. You will be asked to answer three questions related to the benefits and criticisms of the CEFR.
ENJOY!
[/tabcontent][tabcontent]
Benefits and criticisms of the CEFR
After reading about the CEFR and/or watching the video series about the CEFR, answer the following questions:
1. In your opinion, what is the most serious criticism of the CEFR? Explain your answer.
2. In your opinion, what are the main benefits of the CEFR to language teaching across the globe?
3. In one of the videos, John Trim states that it is most important for teachers to “work honestly and hard in accordance with your own developing knowledge and understanding….[which then may be] integrated into a wider cooperative context.”
Do you think that the development of a professional English teaching community in Israel is important? Explain your answer.
Respond to the post of one or more participants. You may agree, disagree, ask for clarification, give recommendations, etc.
[/tabcontent][tabcontent][/tabcontent][tabcontent]
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and various accompanying written materials
This folder contains the Common European Framework of Reference as published by the European Union. In addition you will find various related documents, such as a guide to the CEFR and principles of using the CEFR.
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and various accompanying written materials
Video clips about the origins, evolution and critique of the CEFR
“An interview with John Trim and Nick Saville − Recorded in May 2011 in Cambridge to mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of the CEFR.
This video has been produced to mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It covers the historical developments of the common framework dating back to the 1970s and puts on record some of John Trim\’s thoughts on the CEFR as an evolving framework.”
The complete video is split into ten parts:
THE ORIGINS OF THE CEFR
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
CRITIQUE OF THE CEFR
Part 1
Part 2
EVOLUTION OF THE CEFR
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
THE FUTURE OF THE CEFR
[/tabcontent][/wptabsy]
