Globalization and new socio-economic conditions require that education be improved, including foreign language training. If students are ready to develop and possess the necessary motivation For this, the process of learning a foreign language will become a real pleasure.
One of the Language portfolio. In the spirit of the European Language Portfolio adopted by the Council of Europe, they are faced with the creative task of learning those who are learning to collect their achievements and successes. And they can use the portfolio themselves for documenting successes and measurement of progress They're not.
How to structure the personal language portfolio for maximum efficiency?
The language portfolio allows for analyzing the learning process and for its better organisation. To achieve maximum efficiency of its use, teachers can follow the general structure included in the European Language Portfolio. In it are three parts:
Language passport
It reflects language knowledge and skills at a certain point in time according to the Self-assessment Table of the General European Language Framework and obtained certificates and diplomas. It reflects the language courses visited, language examinations made and grades received. The students make self - evaluation based on what they feel they can do in the studied language.
The information may be updated every 6 months. Students and students can present their language passport when moving to another class or course, and adults . . . when applying for a job.
Language biography
It contains the goals of trainings, shows language experience and registers its progress by stimulating learning several foreign languages. Table to be used for self-assessmentwhere the trained record what they can do now and what they plan as skills in the future.
The update of the language biography shall be made every time or where new information is needed.
Language file
It includes materials resulting from the student's efforts and work, with a view to supporting the skills described in passport and biography.
The addition of materials to the language file may be carried out every month or if new material is present.
The preparation of an individual language portfolio by foreign language teachers includes, in addition to a title page, and current tests, home tasks, projects forming or generalising assessments, check lists and self-assessments, diplomas, diplomas. Overall, it must serve to measure progress and provide evidence of assessment and determination of the objectives of trainers. This contributes to the follow-up of progress and adequate control by the teacher and parents if the student is in school age.
At the same time, the portfolio helps to build skills for self-assessment and planning foreign language learning in the long term. It can be made in addition to the traditional paper, and in an electronic version that includes electronic files and images, hyperlinks, etc.
The importance of documenting progress on long-term motivation
One of the important objectives of the language portfolio is to assist learners for more successful and effective learning. This includes the acquisition of communication skills, searching for information in different sources, etc.
In addition, by documenting progress each student receives an incentive to take more responsibility for his own learning.
Claims such as setting targets in language study.
Overall, the language portfolio encourages the activity of foreign language students and expands self-study opportunities and long-term development.
Different methods of reporting progress in the four main language skills
The language competence in the knowledge of a foreign language shall be taken into account according to the European Language Framework valid throughout Europe. Based on four language skills, namely: listening, reading, speaking and writing, define 6 levels of language competence. They are: main Level A1 is for beginners and C2 is a sign of competent language use.
The reading of progress in the four language skills is performed mainly by short tests, intermediate and final tests. The progress related to language skills is reflected in the participation in discussions, dialogues and all tasks involving oral communication.
To assess progress in listening to the understanding of trainers, a listening text is provided and then answer test questions on its content. The same applies to reading skills.
Hearing and reading with understanding evaluates the ability of trainers to understand information on studied topics.
To verify the achievements of writing a written text of students, a task is assigned to draw up a text with a specified volume according to the programme at the relevant class or level. Another option is to answer a question in writing on a given text within a certain number of words. The evaluation shall be made by criteria in accordance with the European Language Framework.
Language portfolios to different learning systems are developed at each level of the relevant textbook and guarantee effective personalised training and tracking progress in language skills according to the scale of the language framework.
Use the portfolio as a tool for planning future goals
The language portfolio is a constantly changing picture that reflects progress. It raises needs and habits for organizing and arranging the own work of the trainers . . an important part of the necessary competences in modern society.
The portfolio is also an effective tool for planning further language learning. Although it may be in different options, depending on the educational degree and the institutions it will serve, it always responds to foreign language students what their specific knowledge and skills are. Their personal progress motivates them and stimulates them to develop through reflexion on their own work and planning future goals.
Taking into account the key importance of the language portfolio, teachers at Language School .Omega Thus, the progress of trainers can be controlled and monitored more adequately.
On Omegals.bg you can learn more about the language learning opportunities we offer. Our philologists are professionals with experience and will offer you the most suitable forms of training in flexible programs. Whatever language course you choose, you can rely on personalized learning and opportunities to create a language portfolio to document your progress.