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CommonEuropeanFrameworkofReferenceforLanguages:Learning,teaching,assessment(CEFR)
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CommonEuropeanFrameworkofReferenceforLanguages:Learning,Teaching,
Assessment(CEFR)
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TheCEFRonline:FULLTEXT
LanguagePolicyUnit
Fieldsofactivities
Contacts
PolicyInstruments
www.coe.int/langCEFR
TheCEFRexistsin40languageversions
PrefatoryNote
NotesfortheUser
Synopsis
Towardsplurilingual
education:TwoGuidesand
Studies
Developmentofpolicies
Developmentandimplementation
ofcurricula
CommonEuropean
FrameworkofReferencefor
languages(CEFR)
TheCEFRandlanguage
examinations:atoolkit
ReferenceLevelDescriptionsfor
nationalorregionallanguages
(RLD)
LanguageEducationPolicy
Profiles
TheCEFR:transparent,coherentandcomprehensive
The result of over twenty years of research, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching,
assessment(CEFR)isexactlywhatitstitlesaysitis:aframeworkofreference.Itwasdesignedtoprovideatransparent,coherent
andcomprehensivebasisfortheelaborationoflanguagesyllabusesandcurriculumguidelines,thedesignofteachingandlearning
materials, and the assessment of foreign language proficiency. It is used in Europe but also in other continents and is now
availablein40languages.
Sixlevelsofforeignlanguageproficiency
LanguagesofSchooling
Romani
MIGRANTS
InterculturalEducation
Events
The CEFR describes foreign language proficiency at six levels: A1 and A2, B1 and B2, C1 and C2. It also defines three plus
levels (A2+, B1+, B2+). Based on empirical research and widespread consultation, this scheme makes it possible to compare
tests and examinations across languages and national boundaries (see the section The CEFR and language examinations: a
toolkit).Italsoprovidesabasisforrecognisinglanguagequalificationsandthusfacilitatingeducationalandoccupationalmobility.
The CEFRs illustrative scales of can do descriptors are available in a bank of descriptors together with many other related
descriptors.
Resources
Recommendations/
Resolutions
PublicationsandDocuments
Links
Dedicatedwebsites
Platformofresourcesand
referencesforplurilingualand
interculturaleducation
LinguisticIntegrationofAdult
Migrants
EuropeanLanguagePortfolio
AutobiographyofIntercultural
Encounters
EuropeanDayofLanguages
TheCEFRismuchmorethanproficiencyscales
TheCEFRsscalesofforeignlanguageproficiencyareaccompaniedbyadetailedanalysisofcommunicativecontexts,themes,
tasksandpurposesaswellasscaleddescriptionsofthecompetencesonwhichwedrawwhenwecommunicate.Thishelpsto
explainwhytheCEFRisincreasinglyusedinteachereducation,thereformofforeignlanguagecurriculaandthedevelopmentof
teachingmaterials(inthisconnectionseetheresultsofasurveycarriedoutin2006amongCouncilofEuropememberstates).
UsingtheCEFRinspecificcontexts
TheCEFRdoesnotofferreadymadesolutionsbutmustalwaysbeadaptedtotherequirementsofparticularcontexts,for
example,theteachingandlearningofRomaniandofFrenchSignLanguage.Theneedforcarefulinterpretationandadaptationis
especiallyacutewhentheCEFRsdescriptiveapparatusandproficiencylevelsareusedtoexplorethecommunicativeneedsof
adultmigrantsandtoguidetheassessmentoftheirproficiencyinthelanguageoftheirhostcommunity(seetherelevantstudies).
ResponsibilityofmemberstatesintheuseoftheCEFR
The2007Forumhadsignificantconsequences.Besidesa
RecommendationontheuseoftheCEFR(seetextbox),new
initiativesaimedtodeveloptherichnessoftheCEFRbeyond
theproficiencyscales.Aplatformofresourcesandreferences
forplurilingualandinterculturaleducationhasbeenestablished
tothisendandisgraduallybeingdevelopedbytheproject
Languagesineducation/Languagesforeducation.
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/cadre1_en.asp
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CommonEuropeanFrameworkofReferenceforLanguages:Learning,teaching,assessment(CEFR)
AEuropeanIndicatorofLanguageCompetence
Recommendationstomemberstateson
theCEFR
CouncilofEurope:
EuropeanUnion:
FollowingthecalloftheBarcelonaEuropeanCouncil(March2002),theEuropean
CommissionhasdevelopedasurveybasedontheCEFRtomeasuretheforeign/second
languageproficiencyofpupilsattheendofcompulsoryeducation.Thepurposeofthesurvey
istoestablishaEuropeanIndicatorofLanguageCompetence,providingmemberstateswith
internationallycomparabledataontheresultsofforeignlanguageteachingandlearninginthe
EuropeanUnion.
Supportingmaterialandpublications
List:PublicationsrelatedtotheCEFRandsupportingmaterial(seealsotheonlineversion)
TheCEFRandlanguageexaminations:atoolkit
TherelationbetweentheCEFRandtheEuropeanLanguagePortfolioisexplainedindetailontheELPwebsite:
www.coe.int/portfolio
Publishers
ThecopyrightbelongstotheCouncilofEurope.RequestsconcerningthetranslationorthereproductionofallorpartoftheCEFR
shouldbeaddressedtotheLanguagePolicyUnit(Strasbourg).TheCommonEuropeanFrameworkofReferencefor
LanguagesispublishedinEnglishbyCambridgeUniversityPressISBNHardback0521803136Paperback:0521005310
www.cambridge.org
TheFrenchversionispublishedbyEditionsDidier:
Cadreeuropencommunderfrencepourleslangues:apprendre,enseigner,valuer
ISBN:9782278058136www.didierfle.com
DisclaimerCouncilofEurope2014photocreditWebmaster
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/cadre1_en.asp
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