Understanding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Questions and Answers

What was the primary reference resource for the development of national educational standards in Germany?

TIMMS

IGLU

Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) (correct)

PISA

What type of education focuses on specifying learning objectives and topics to be taught?

Competence-based education

Standards-based education

Input-oriented education (correct)

Output-oriented education

What is the main purpose of national educational standards in Germany?

To define competences which students are expected to have attained (correct)

To compare students' performances across schools

To specify content and topics to be taught

To develop language syllabuses and curriculum guidelines

What was the outcome of the large-scale assessments (PISA, TIMMS, IGLU) in Germany?

Students lacked problem-solving competences, transfer skills, and application knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the German Länder (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK)?

To develop national educational standards for the intermediate school graduation certificate Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of output-oriented education?

Defining the competences which students are expected to have attained Signup and view all the answers

What is the main principle of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)?

Promotion of the positive formulation of educational aims and outcomes at all levels Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach that emerged in the 1970s?

Language performance and communicative purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the National Education Standards in Germany?

Output-oriented education with a focus on competences Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of studying the history of English Language Teaching (ELT) according to the text?

It offers insight into the constants of foreign language learning and teaching Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of language proficiency expected of learners at the end of primary education in Germany?

A1/A2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the ability to use language effectively, as defined by Canale and Swain (1980)?

Strategic competence Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of the Bildungsstandards in Germany?

They ignore Bildung in the sense of personal growth, orientation, and reflection Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant development in English language teaching in Germany in 1964?

The Hamburger Abkommen, making English a mandatory subject in secondary schools Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Lehrplan Plus in Germany?

To plan lessons according to teaching objectives and learning goals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Communicative Competence approach?

To focus on language performance and use Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the core objectives of language education at the Secondary Level II in Germany?

Development of discourse competences Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of Communicative Competence, as defined by Canale and Swain (1980)?

Interlanguage competence Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of the CEFR on language teaching and testing?

Shift from input of teaching to output of learning and testing of functional competence Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Communicative Turn in language teaching?

It shifted the focus from language knowledge to language use Signup and view all the answers

What is the level of language proficiency expected of learners at the end of Secondary Level I in Germany?

B1 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a benefit of studying the history of ELT, according to the text?

It increases critical awareness of language teaching methodologies Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms of theDescriptors and scales of language proficiency in the CEFR?

They are not always clear and distinct Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the National Education Standards in Germany?

To define competences students are expected to have attained at certain stages of schooling Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Promotes positive formulation of educational aims and outcomes in the form of "can-do" statements.
Aims to facilitate cooperation among educational institutions, provide a sound basis for mutual recognition of language qualifications, and assist learners, teachers, and educational administrators.

Structure of CEFR

Divided into three main levels: Basic User (A1/A2), Independent User (B1/B2), and Proficient User (C1/C2).

Impact of CEFR

Shifts focus from teaching input to learning output and testing of functional competence.
Has a significant impact on educational policy making, test design, teaching, and academic debates.

Germany's National Education Standards

Syllabi provide learning objectives, topics, and content for each school year, following an input-oriented education approach.
Educational standards define competences students are expected to have attained at certain stages of schooling, focusing on output-oriented education and backward planning.

Primary School

Significant variation in how states organize early language instruction, but consensus on competences learners should achieve by the end of primary education.
Core objectives include intercultural and communicative competences on an A1/A2 level, with learners able to understand and produce short, simple spoken and written texts.

Secondary Level I (Year 5-10)

Students build on basic communicative, intercultural, and methodological competences, developing more independent competences to talk and write about common topics.
Core objectives include intercultural, communicative, and methodological competences on the B1/B2 level, with all students required to learn English and reach the B1 level by the end of year 10.

Secondary Level II

Students discuss current world issues and literature, developing general knowledge, and engage with increasingly complex texts and topics in a digitalized world.
Core objectives include development of discourse competences, intercultural, communicative, and methodological competences on the B2/C1 level, and text and media competences.

Lehrplan Plus

Lesson planning is based on teaching objectives, learning goals, and aims, incorporating cross-curricular educational objectives.
Focus on Fachkompetenz, methodologische Kompetenz, interkulturelle Kompetenz, and Text- und Medienkompetenz.

Criticism of Educational Standards

Ignoring Bildung in the sense of personal growth, orientation, and reflection.
Narrow focus on functional communicative skills and testing is detrimental to intercultural and methodological goals.
Competence comes with little content, and descriptors and scales of language proficiency are not always clear and distinct.
Suggestions for changing average standards to minimum standards for weaker learners and maximum standards for encouraging best performance.

Historical Evolution of Educational Standards

Since the mid-19th century, syllabi and guidelines have been developed for each school type, with a focus on input-oriented education.
Large-scale assessments (PISA, TIMMS, IGLU) revealed students lacked problem-solving competences, transfer skills, and application knowledge, leading to the development of national educational standards in 2003.

The Communicative Turn (since 1970s)

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) shifted priority from teaching knowledge about language to performance in language.
Focus on how to use language for different communicative purposes, such as making requests, giving advice, and describing needs.

Communicative Competence

Canale and Swain's (1980) concept of Communicative Competence consists of four components: grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence, and strategic competence.
Focus on the learner, with language seen as a function rather than a form.

Reasons for Studying ELT History

Provides insight into the constants of FL learning and teaching.
Contributes to a deeper understanding of the present with its strengths and weaknesses.
Sensitizes towards new fashions and hypes, increasing critical awareness.

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Description

Learn about the CEFR, a framework that promotes cooperation and mutual recognition of language qualifications. Understand its structure and levels.