Training Teachers to Use the European Language Portfolio

ECML's 2nd medium-term programme (2004-2007)

Training teachers to use the European Language Portfolio

A1 - spoken interaction

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/- - Want to learn Can ask and answer simple During an exchange program Familiar subjects: sport, weather, questions, initiate and you have accommodated a public transport, food, animals, respond to simple foreigner in your house. He school. You should be able to say statements in areas of asks you questions about the what music you like for example or immediate need or on very music you like. of which groups you are a fan. Or familiar topics. you are able to say what the weather is like. Can make an introduction In the toilet facilities on the You cannot really afford to say and use basic greeting and campsite everybody is saying nothing. You know what to say leave-taking expressions. good morning to one another. when you come in and when you go away. Can ask how people are and After a number of weeks you After you have told your friend how react to news. call a holiday friend. you are, you ask how he/she is. Then your friend asks you the same thing and you can answer that. Can understand everyday You are staying with a family This concerns commonly used expressions aimed at the in another country. When you expressions, such as ‘good night’, satisfaction of simple needs go to bed you wish them ‘have a good journey’, ‘have a nice of a concrete type, delivered ‘good night’ meal’, ‘see you tomorrow’, ‘have a directly to him/her in clear, good time’, ‘please’ and ‘thank slow and repeated speech you’. by a sympathetic speaker. Can ask people for things You work as a waitress on a You want to ask in a polite way if and give people things. terrace. You have to ask somebody would like to drink or . somebody what he/she eat or would like another drink and would like to drink. eat something else. You use the right expressions to do so. Can understand questions In class the teacher says that The teacher says for example that and instructions addressed you have to do something. Or you have to take your coat off, you carefully and slowly to on the campsite you are have to close your book or that him/her and follow short, given a place, which is you have to come to the front of simple directions. pointed out on a map. the class. Can indicate time by such You need to make an You want to go to a sporting event phrases as next week, last arrangement with a friend together. You have found out that Friday, in November, three o you met on the campsite to the event does not take place until clock undertake something next week. together. Can ask and answer During your stay abroad you For example, they ask what age questions about themselves are asked all kinds of you are. and other people, where questions about yourself and they live, people they know, you ask questions about the things they have. other. Can reply in an interview to On the campsite you You do not need to ask any simple direct questions participate in a karaoke questions yourself, however you spoken very slowly and show. Before your should be able to answer them. clearly in direct non- performance you are asked idiomatic speech about all kinds of questions. personal details. Can understand questions A foreigner asks you where Somebody asks who your mother and instructions addressed an important building in your is. You point her out. Or somebody carefully and slowly to town or village is located. asks what the time is. You take him/her and follow short, You understand the question your watch and show the time. Or simple directions. and point it out. some-body asks what you want to have and you point it out. EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO 15+ FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION A2 - spoken interaction

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/- - Want to learn Can participate in short At the station ticket office This concerns predictable conversations in routine you can explain which situations. You know how this contexts on topics of ticket you want to buy. goes in the Netherlands. You interest. can guess what the questions can be. You can use simple sentences and the other will take account of the fact that you do not speak his language fluently. Can use simple techniques During the holiday you You know how you start and to start, maintain or end a meet a number of very nice finish a conversation with short conversation. people of your own age. people of your own age. You You would like to talk some know which questions you more with them to get to can ask or which remarks know them a bit better. you can make to make a conversation last a bit longer. Can say what he/she likes You can explain to the You can also think of films or and dislikes. family you are staying with music. that you do not really like certain food. Can make and respond to You have met somebody invitations, invitations and on holiday that you invite to apologies. come and visit you when you are home again. Can use simple everyday You have lost your way in You know how to address an polite forms of greeting and a town in another country older person in that particular address. and you ask an older country. You know that the person to help you. way you do this also determines the reaction. Can make and respond to During your holiday abroad You can make it clear to the suggestions. somebody asks you to other person that you do not accompany him/her to go feel very well, that you would somewhere. However, you rather stay at home. You try do not feel very well. to say this in sentences as simply as possible. Can express how he/she You have received great The idea is that you can do feels in simple terms, and help; you thank the person this in a polite way. express thanks. in particular for his/her help. Can generally identify the With foreign friends you You can talk about the things topic of discussion around can have simple you did in the weekend, how her, which is conducted conversations about things go at your school, etc. slowly and clearly. common things. Can discuss what to do in You can make You can use simple the evening, at the arrangements with foreign sentences and your friends weekend. friends about the things take account of the fact that Can discuss what to do, you are going to do in the you do not speak their where to go and make weekend, where you will language fluently. arrangements to meet. meet to go out together. Can agree and disagree You can make clear to with others. foreign friends that you agree or do not agree with their suggestion to go somewhere.

3 EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO 15+ FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/- - Want to learn Can handle very short In a conversation with Everyday things may for social exchanges but is foreign friends you are example concern the rarely able to understand asked what you think of a weather, sports events, enough to keep certain sport in which the school, films, music, etc. You conversation going of Dutch are good or not, can also give your opinion on his/her own accord, though what you think of certain matters that relate to you (I he/she can be made to music or a certain film. think that’s stupid, that looks understand if the speaker pretty, he/she is a good will take the trouble. teacher, my parents are way too strict). You can use simple sentences and your friends take account of the fact that you do not speak their language fluently. Can ask for attention. In a discussion you have This also concerns knowing been meaning to say how to ask for attention in the something for some time respective foreign languages, already, but you do not get without being misinterpreted. the opportunity. You know what to do to make a contribution to the discussion. Can deal with common In a shop you can say what This also concerns aspects of everyday living you need and ask about institutions such as the post such as travel, lodgings, the price. office, a bank or a shop eating and shopping. Can where you can hire a bicycle. make simple purchases by In a restaurant you can order stating what is wanted and a meal and ask for the bill. asking the price. Can order a meal Can ask and answer During an exchange You can tell something about questions about what they program you notice that your holiday there and ask do at work and in free time. your foreign partner spent the other person how he Can ask answer questions his holiday in the same experienced that. For about pastimes and past place you did. example, you can ask where activities. he went out for dinner and which disco’s he went to. Can give and follow simple If you are in another In this case you can for directions and instructions country independently, can example ask the way in a e.g. explain how to get you manage arranging tourist office and the route somewhere. Can ask for transport or asking the may be explained by using a and give directions referring way? In your own map. to a map or plan. environment a foreigner This is also about answering asks you the way. questions from foreigners about your own town, village or region. Can identify what he/she At a jumble sale you see You make use of gestures means by pointing to it. something very pretty. You and use sentences too to do not know what it is indicate what exactly you called and you need to want to have. explain to the salesman where it is.

4 EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO 15+ FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION B1 - spoken interaction

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/- - Want to learn Can follow clearly On the campsite (abroad) articulated speech directed you talk about everyday at him/her in everyday things with somebody from conversation, though will another country. You Even though you make sometimes have to ask for understand most of what is grammatical mistakes and repetition of particular words said, but sometimes he you hesitate because you and phrases. needs to help you by have to think of words, you repeating something. can join in a conversation Can enter unprepared into People from another with simple words/sentences conversations on familiar country are visiting your about everyday things such topics. school. When you happen as the weather, a sports to meet them you can event, a TV program, films, spontaneously join in the music, etc. conversations about subjects familiar to you. Can express and respond to During an exchange With words you can show feelings such as surprise, program you that you sympathise with happiness, sadness, accommodated somebody. somebody or that you feel the interest and indifference. He has presents for same. everybody. You indicate in a polite and correct way that you are surprised and pleased. Can maintain a In a discussion with some The thing is to win a little time conversation or discussion people from another for yourself to think about but may sometimes be country you are looking for exactly what you want to say. difficult to follow when trying words and you hesitate to say exactly what he/she because you are not sure would like to. whether you will succeed in making perfectly clear what you want to say. Can express his/her In a group on a campsite in Even though you make thoughts about abstract or another country a grammatical mistakes and cultural topics such as conversation is going on in you hesitate because you music, film. Can explain a foreign language about have to think of words, you why something is a the latest top hits and can join in a conversation problem. recent films. You can join with simple words/sentences in the conversation. about things such as TV- programs, films, music, books, etc. Can use a simple word In a conversation with You describe what you meaning something similar somebody from another intended to say or you use to the concept he/she wants country it appears that he other words to explain what to convey and invites understood you wrongly or you mean. ‘correction’. not at all. Can ask someone to clarify In a conversation you do To do this usually standard or elaborate what they have not quite understand what sentences are used. just said. a person means. You have Depending on the situation to ask for clarification. Can and with whom the you do this? conversation is taking place, you can adjust the standard sentences.

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/- - Want to learn Can express belief, opinion, In school it is common that This is about knowing the agreement and you also use the foreign correct wording to express disagreement politely. language in conversations opinions, personal with your teacher about convictions or aversion, sensitive issues (marks, without upsetting anybody. grades, etc.). .Can take part in routine You have applied at an You can answer questions formal discussion of familiar establishment of a foreign about factual information and subjects which is conducted company in the can indicate in a simple way in clearly articulated speech Netherlands. The interview why the job appeals to you in the standard dialect and takes place in the foreign (the sentences can be short which involves the language. and simple). exchange of factual information, receiving instructions or the discussion of solutions to practical problems. Can make his/her opinions You work as temporary This also concerns and reactions understood staff on a campsite. Some techniques you have to apply as regards possible problems with foreign to be able to have a solutions or the question of campsite guests present discussion. However, you what to do next, giving brief themselves. In a need to know what the reasons and explanations. discussion with them your discussion is about and what opinion is asked too and you want to claim. In this type you also have to come up of discussion it is important with solutions. what you say and how you say it. Can cope with less routine You have tried to use a You need to explain what situations in shops, post cash point abroad. For happened and ask how this office, bank, e.g. returning some reason or other the problem can be solved. an unsatisfactory purchase. machine swallowed your bank card. You try to explain this to the bank. Can you do this? Can make a complaint. You are staying on your For example you can make a own in another country and complaint about the fact that you want to make a you had a room without a complaint about something bath or a shower, although you are not pleased with. you did book that. Can summarise and give You read a number of Examples include oral his or her opinion about a articles on a certain theme. exams. You will often have short story, article, talk, You make a summary and read books or short stories discussion, interview, or others ask you questions to about which questions will be documentary and answer which you react by asked that you will have to further questions of detail. answering them. answer in the foreign language. Can carry out a prepared For a school project you Some questions you have interview, checking and have to have interviews already prepared, but you confirming information, with a number of people in regularly have to ask again in though he/she may the foreign language. You a different way because the occasionally have to ask for need to tailor your answer given shows that the repetition if the other questions according to the person who is interviewed person's response is rapid answers you get. interpreted the question or extended. wrongly.

6 EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO 15+ FOR STUDENTS IN UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION B2 - spoken interaction ‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/ - Want - to learn Can engage in extended During an exchange program General subjects:Jobs, conversation on most or perhaps in a café you have homework, drugs in the general topics in a clearly a discussion with an Netherlands, recreation participatory fashion, even exchange student about the possibilities in the region, etc. in a noisy environment pros and cons of jobs when In preparation prepare you write you are still in school. down five arguments in favour and five arguments against the subject beforehand. Because of your work you You can invite guests into a regularly encounter foreign restaurant for example, explain business contacts. If you the menu and have spend a free evening with conversations about all kinds of them, you can actively take subjects, even if there are more part in the conversation and speakers present. You can also act as host as well. for example express your feelings and talk about subjects Can keep up with an that move you. Although it is a animated conversation formal occasion you do not between native speakers. made a fool of yourself because of language mistakes. During a visit to another You know words and country you get into a expressions that have to do conversation with a number with the subjects. You can of speakers of the foreign hardly prepare anything, language (on the beach, in because this type of the swimming pool, in the conversation usually develops disco). You want to know spontaneously. You do not something about the music have any problems with having from the region and what this kind of conversations. they think about it. Can with some effort catch During a camping holiday you You talk about your tasks when much of what is said around spend a lot of time with a cooking, what to do, and him/her in discussion, but group of speakers of the ingredients. may find it difficult to foreign language. You are participate effectively in part of the cooking group, discussion with several etc. native speakers who do not modify their language in any way. Can convey degrees of During a holiday you get You tell them about your emotion and highlight the involved in an accident. You experiences in the past time. personal significance of are looked after by the First You talk about fear, pain, events and experiences. Aid team. sympathy, confusion, thankfulness, relief Can contribute, account for You arrive on a campsite You express your opinion on and sustain his/her opinion, abroad. Although you have the organisation of the evaluate alternative booked a place, nothing is campsite. You tell them how proposals and make and available. they can improve this and you respond to hypotheses. You discuss with the owner. indicate why this would be better for them. Can outline an issue or a During a work experience You can express your problem clearly, speculating project you work in a standpoints, can clearly indicate about causes or company of foreign owners. the pros and cons, can propose consequences, and You can actively participate a suggestion for a compromise weighing advantages and in a meeting directly related and discuss results and disadvantages of different to your work. Because of the hypothetical situations. approaches. presence of the foreign management the meeting is held in the foreign language.

‘I can’ -description Example of situation Explanation + +/ - Want - to learn Cam cope linguistically to This concerns for example missed negotiate a solution to a connections due to delays or theft dispute like an underserved You are independently of personal documents (passport). traffic ticket, financial abroad and you can also You can explain a problem and responsibility for damage in manage okay in make clear what you are entitled a flat, for blame regarding unexpected situations. to. You can also formulate a an accident. complaint in complicated cases. Can explain a problem which has arisen and make it clear that the provider of the service/customer must make a concession. Can understand and You work abroad. In work So you know the terms for exchange complex contacts with your measurements, achievements, information and advice on colleagues, you can technical data, etc. and also for the full range of matters explain a text about simple processes and related to his/her technical equipment that is mathematical relationships. occupational role. familiar to you. Can take initiatives in an You have been invited for This concerns an official interview, expand and an interview with a foreign interview. Maybe you make a develop ideas with little help company. In the interview mistake now and again and or prodding form an you can explain your hesitate sometimes when looking interviewer. Can carry out qualifications and for a word, but you can fairly an effective, fluent experience and talk about easily describe words you do not interview, departing you motivation for the job. know. spontaneously form prepared questions following up and probing interesting replies. Can select a suitable During an interview with a You know sufficient standard phrase from a readily foreign company you want expressions to be able to slightly available range of discourse to keep talking most of the influence a conversation. functions to preface his time to be able to tell as remarks appropriately in much as possible about order to get the floor, or to yourself. gain time and keep the floor whilst thinking. Can keep up with an In direct contact with This concerns all kinds company animated discussion, foreigners you need to matters familiar to you. In identifying accurately discuss complicated conversations you can start a arguments supporting and subjects for the company discussion, can put your opinion opposing points of view. you work for (complaints, and arguments forward and new developments, etc.) stimulate the other party to express their standpoint.

C1 - spoken interaction

‘I can’ -description + +/ - Want - to learn Can understand in detail speech on abstract and complex topics of a specialist nature beyond his/her own field, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar. Can easily follow and contribute to complex interactions between third parties in group discussion even on abstract, complex unfamiliar topics. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social purposes, including emotional, allusive and joking usage. Can argue a formal position convincingly, responding to questions and comments and answering complex lines of counter argument fluently, spontaneously and appropriately. Can participate fully in an interview, as either interviewer or interviewee, expanding and developing the point being discussed fluently without any support, and handling interjections well. Can select a suitable phrase from a readily available range of discourse functions to preface his remarks appropriately in order to get the floor, or to gain time and keep the floor whilst thinking. Can relate own contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.

C2 – spoken interaction

‘I can’ - description + +/ - Want - to learn

I can take part effortlessly in any conversation of discussion and have a good familiarity with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms. I can express myself fluently and convey finer shades of meaning precisely. If I do have a problem I can backtrack and restructure around the difficulty so smoothly that other people are hardly aware of it