Revised CLB: Communicative Competencies to meet the needs of adult English & French second language learners

Transcription

1 Revised CLB: Communicative Competencies to meet the needs of adult English & French second language learners CAPLA November 2013 Kathy Hughes and Andrea Strachan

2 Agenda Overview of the renewal project What is the same? What is different? Recent work using the CLB/NCLC CLB and Assessment CLB Exemplars

3 Renewal: Revision and Validation Funded by CIC, ON, AB, BC, SK Funded by CIC/ Validation meeting funded by AB Funded by CIC ON CLB Support Kit and training on revised CLB ( )

4 What are the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)? A set of national standards for adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada. The French equivalent - the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) - used outside of Québec Learner-centred, competency-based, task-based, and stress community, study and work-related tasks Form the basis for language assessment and teaching of English or French as a Second Language Increasingly applied in sector-specific contexts.

5 CLB Structure Progression is based on 3 factors: more demanding communication tasks more demanding contexts higher expectations of effectiveness and quality of communicative performance

6 Revisions to the CLB Eliminate inconsistencies and ambiguities; fill gaps between levels Try to show greater differentiation between levels Make the document more user-friendly Make the language clearer and more accessible

7 CLB/NCLC Construct Validity Develop a Common Theoretical Framework (CTF) Phase 1 (2011) modify previous frameworks for both CLB (2002) and NCLC (2010) to create a Theoretical Framework (TF) independently validated against the two source TFs now serves as a common foundation for both the English (CLB) and French (NCLC) standards

8 CLB/NCLC Concurrent Validity Validate CTF against revised CLB/NCLC and other Frameworks Phase 2 (2011) expert panel determined that the CLB is congruent with the CTF revisions were made based on panel feedback to include more focus on the Bachman and Palmer model of language ability very strong concurrent validity established with other frameworks including the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

9 CLB/NCLC Content Validation Validate with Users Phase 3 ( ) field test with experts and practitioners review by expert panel and field practitioners strong agreement among experts and field practitioners developed and validated exemplars scenarios, related exemplars and tasks for L, S, R, W created by CLB/measurement experts fine-tuning of the standard in April 2012 based on Phase 3 findings and feedback

10 The Revised Canadian Language Benchmarks: What is the same? Guiding Principles Competency-based Spiralling approach Learner-centred Task-based Three Stages of Ability Stage 1: Basic Ability Stage 2: Intermediate Ability Stage 3: Advanced Ability Twelve Levels of Ability

11 The Revised Canadian Language Benchmarks: What is different? Theoretical Framework Reflects models of language ability promoted by Bachman (1990), Bachman & Palmer (1996, 2010) and Celce-Murcia et al. (1995).

12 The Revised Canadian Language Benchmarks: What is different? Names of Competency Areas I. Interacting with Others II. Giving/Comprehending Instructions II. Reproducing Information (writing only) III. Getting Things Done IV. Comprehending/Sharing Information

13 The Revised Canadian Language Benchmarks: What is different? Competency Tables Competency statements organized by competency areas (e.g., Interacting with Others) for each level within a stage in Listening, Speaking, Reading or Writing. Glossary Includes specific terms that are helpful in providing a common understanding of the document. Does not include general ESL terms.

14 Why use CLB Framework? CLB is more than a number, speaks to areas of communication competency Offers criteria against which to measure performance Is a nationally used and accepted scale of proficiency Understood by immigrant serving educational institutions and increasingly regulators and employer stakeholders

15 CLB & Language Assessments Authenticity a function of interaction between the test taker, test task, and testing context Construct Purpose: general or more specific? Criterion or norm-based? Reliability and Security Used for low/high stakes

16 e.g., CLB-based Language Tests Test CLB Levels Purpose Available CLBPT/BTC CLB 1-8 Placement into programs Workplace Language Assessment (WLA) WLA Pre- Screener CELBAN Online selfassessment CLB 7 10 CLB 6 CLB (s8, l10, r8, w7) CLB 1 8 (Reading, Listening) Placement into programs (e.g. bridging, ESP) or for work readiness Allows employment counselors to get an indication of ability for CLB 6 Requirements for nursing licensure Personal use Assessment Centres across Canada Ontario (in 2014), Alberta and BC (limited sites) Ontario, BC, AB Most provinces at CELBAN sites Online

17 CLB & Language Portfolios Portfolio-based Language Assessment (PBLA) in LINC Programs initiative supported by CIC e-portfolio used by instructors (available at tutela.ca) creating a culture of portfolio-based assessment supported by CLB principles of competency and task based learning

18 Occupational Language Research Currently English and French language competency has been benchmarked for about 100 occupations and professions using the CLB/NCLC. E.g., Audiology & Speech Language Pathology (new) Homeopathy (in process) Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy Occupational Language Analyses (OLAs) High Tech, Biotechnology sectors

19 CLB and CLB Support Kit are available online for free download at language.ca and tutela.ca Visit bookshelf.language.ca for exemplars, CLB resources and the Common Theoretical Framework.

20 Exemplars Many exemplars are found in the CLB Support Kit Selected ones are available online at CLB 4 CLB 7 CLB 9

21 CLB: What s new? CIC has issued new National Placement and Progression Guidelines Continued work on high stakes assessment for CIC Portfolio-based Language Assessment (PBLA) for LINC and most likely next year, for CLIC and for some provincial programs. Can Do Statements Revising the ESL Literacy Benchmarks

22 NCLC Je suis capable (coming) Lignes directrices - new curriculum guidelines for FSL programs (with TCDSB) Clic en ligne Trousse de soutien (NCLC Support Kit)

23 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

24 For More Information Contact: Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks 294 Albert Street, Suite 400, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6E6 Telephone: (613) Marianne Kayed (ext. 176) Thank you!