Reflection (Cascade Training CEFR)

REFLECTION

I agree with what was said during the course (Cascade Training, 11 to 14 October
2016). As a language teacher, I find CEFR useful because it provides a common framework
which can not only help us structure a course, but also monitor and assess pupils progress. It
makes our lives as assessors easier by providing clear and unambiguous (at least theoretically)
statements of pupils language ability. As it was pointed out in the discussion, can dos might also
be used to motivate our learners by showing them the progress they have made. In addition,
CEFR really help me prepare materials and track pupils progress, because the can do statements
are transferable to other languages.

This four days course really provide me with all input about CEFR which I myself really
not clear about. Now, I learnt about the aims, baseline study speaking production and interaction,
speaking finding the level (rating), CEFR perspective on language teaching and learning, CEFR
writing: towards a writing construct, writing: finding the level (rating), Language knowledge
scales, CEFR elements in reception and understanding, CEFR Listening scales, learning
objectives and task, CEFR reading towards a construct and lastly about planning for school
based training (POR)

As a language learner, I also like the idea of being able to monitor my own progress and
ticking off boxes with can-dos as I learn. I know sounds super geeky, but it gives me a feeling
of improvement and achievement. Obviously, not all learners will feel the same about CEFR (or
any other structured assessment program), but I do think that if the students are properly
introduced and eased into the idea of self-assessment using the can do statements, they will
benefit from it. The statements are positive, and therefore avoid the risk of intimidating or
discouraging students with negative feedback.

As above, I do agree with the criticisms voiced during the discussion. From a teachers
perspective, they can be quite overwhelming at the beginning. Ive also found them a bit vague at
times or too long and descriptive. In addition, if we were really to follow the can do statements in
every class and conduct the assessment according to them (as I had to in one school I worked
for), we would spend most of the class time evaluating our students, rather than teaching them.

Careybang/Cascade Training CEFR/10-14.10.2016/IPGKTAR

 Reflection (Cascade Training CEFR)

Another worry is the issue of validity, the questions are how do you know when could
do becomes can do? Since some descriptors are vague or unclear, and some are very
descriptive, there is a lot of room for interpretation. In addition, most teachers are not trained in
using can do statements for day-to-day assessments of students (at least Ive never been), which
severely undermines their value not only for teachers, but also for students who need to also be
shown how to use CEFR for self-assessment.

Many descriptors, especially on higher levels are based on using the language to
communicate with native speakers, and the competencies are compared to that of a native
speaker. For example, some of the illustrative descriptors are: understands interaction between
native speakers and understands a native speaker interlocutor.

This assumes that the learner learns a language primarily in order to communicate with
native speakers, which although in some case might be true (e.g. work or immigration reasons),
on average definitely is not. Most students are far more likely to interact with other non-native
speaker, in the view of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), some CEFR scales might only be
unfair but also irrelevant goals.

On the whole, despite all its drawbacks, the CEFR is by far the best and most
comprehensive framework for scaling and assessing language levels there is. Of course, its got
its disadvantages and is by no means perfect or flawless, however, in my opinion the pros far
outweigh the cons.

It was great to be able to write the summary of the CEFR as reading through the notes
prompted me to look things up in the literature and reflect. Im looking forward to joining the
course in the future, and perhaps writing another summary.

Careybang/Cascade Training CEFR/10-14.10.2016/IPGKTAR