ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Adapting the Common European Framework (CEF) to the

Local Context

TESOL Students Conference 3 July 2012School of EducationUniversity of Leeds

Procedures, Challenges and Solutions`

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

ContentThe ContextThe need for the change:ProceduresThe new frameworkChallenges & solutions

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The context

1. English status in the community

2. The institute (Lantech Institute)

3. English courses

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The need for the change

1. The ambiguity of the existing frameworks all over the area.

2. The increasing demand for international exams.3. The need for quality assurance of the English

teaching process. 4. The weak outcomes of the English teaching

programs all over the area.

The need for the reform

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Procedures1. Forming a committee2. Searching for an international reference framework.3. Consulting local and foreign experts.4. Selecting a reference framework (CEFR).5. Adapting the framework in form of leveled courses6. Selecting/adapting/ designing the teaching materials7. Consulting some experts to ensure the new

framework quality.8. Piloting and applying the new framework

Meeting regularly and evaluating each stage

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

SELECTING A REFERENCE FRAMEWORK

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Selecting a reference framework

1. a six-level framework of language performance

2. states general objectives to be achieved for each stage rather than examining them.

3. most of the well-known international examination board claims the relationship of their exams to the Framework.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Selecting a reference framework

A Basic User A1 Breakthrough A2 Waystage

B Independent User B1 Threshold B2 Vantage

C Proficient User C1 Effective Operational Proficiency C2 Mastery

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Selecting a reference framework

An example of the CEFR description:Reading: • A1: I can understand familiar names, words and very simple

sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

• C2: I can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works.

http://www.uta.fi/kielikeskus/CEF/CEF.htm

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The New framework

• A 22-level framework comprising 1060 classroom hours

• Assumed 2120 hours for home and self study the more advanced the course, the more self study hours

assigned

• Four exam-preparation courses of 40 hours after each stage

Depends on the exam the learners would like to set for

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Relationship with CEF* Stage/ Level No. Course name** Period

(hours)Samples of the relat.

With intl. exams Access

(for children)A Starters 30 B Movers

Basic

1. Beginners A 50 2. Beginners B 50 3. Elementary A 50

A1+ 4. Elementary B 50

Independent

5. Pre-Intermediate A 50 A2 6. Pre-Intermediate B 50 KET, IELTS(3), 7. Intermediate A 50

B1 8. Intermediate B 50 PET, IELTS(4), TOEFL(57-86)Optional exam preparation course 40

Advanced

9. upper- Intermediate A 50 10. upper- Intermediate B 50

11. Advanced A 50 B2 + 12. Advanced B 50

Optional exam preparation course 40 FCE, IELTS(5.5),

Proficient A

13. Proficient A 1 50 14. Proficient A 2 50 15. Proficient A 3 50

C1 16. Proficient A 4 50

Optional exam preparation course 40 CAE, IELTS(6.5- 7.0),

Proficient

B

17. Proficient B 1 50 18. Proficient B 2 50 19. Proficient B 3 50

C2 20 Proficient B 4 50 CPE, IELTS(7.5+), Optional exam preparation course 40

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The course materials

• Headway plus• Supplementary materials assigned by the department

committee• 20% of the time of each course left for free activities flexible

for the teacher’s and learners’ choice

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The results

• Clear understanding of what we do• Massive increasing rate of the numbers of learners• Learners continues to take more courses• More trust from the learners, parents and organisations• More recognition to the institute certificate

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Sample of the Certificate - Front

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Sample of the Certificate - Back

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

The Main Challenges & Solutions

1. Assigning a sequenced series of levels 2. Giving a detail description to each level of our

framework3. Selecting/adapting or designing the teaching

materials4. Placement tests5. Teachers6. Learners and Community7. Length of the program

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Adapting the CEFR to the Local Context

The ContextThe need for the change:ProceduresThe new frameworkChallenges & solutions

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Work with a clear vision of the end

ADAPTING THE COMMON EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK (CEF)

Thanks for ListeningQuestions

Fadhel Abdullah fadhlab2@gmail.com