[NIFL-ESL:9089] RE: Canada's language benchmarks (what about children)

From: glen@mbowden.ca
Date: Wed Jun 25 2003 - 20:37:35 EDT


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Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9089] RE: Canada's language benchmarks (what about children)
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I found the Canadian Benchmarks to be great. . . for adult ESL.

I am wondering if anyone could recommend a simple benchmark tool too
assess K-12 students who are either ESL or ESD (English as a Second
Dialect).  I am looking for a simple tool for assessing student
listening and speaking skills in particular.

Glen Bowden
Teacher, SD27 BC

-----Original Message-----
From: Pauline Mcnaughton [mailto:pmcnaughton@language.ca] 
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 9:44 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:272] RE: Why did you join?


In response to the discussion about the need for a national vs.
state-based standard and assessment I'd like to mention that in Canada -
although education is a provincial responsibility - not federal - the
federal government has developed national language standards for adult
settlement and integration purposes - the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
I work at the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks which is
responsible for developing and supporting this standard.

In Canada there is a federal language training program as well as
provincially funded language training programs.

The model used for the development of this national standard to ensure
federal and provincial buy in is very interesting.  - just a brief recap
for those interested in reading further:

- federal government realized it needed a standard for assessment for
its federal Language Instruction for Newcomers program because
inconsistencies across the country meant some newcomers could be barred
from one LINC program and accepted in another

- a survey of assessment tools was done across the country to determine
if such a tool existed that would serve this purpose

- national consultations were held across the country with the ESL
community and learners to determine the needs related to standards

- a National Working Group on Language Benchmarks was formed made of of
a variety of experts, but most notably members of the ESL community

- this group coordinated the development of the Canadian Language
Benchmarks

- the federal government also funded the establishment of assessment
centres across the country and funded  the training and certification
process for CLB assessors

- then federal and provincial government members and members of TESL
Canada decided to work together to establish the Centre for Canadian
Language Benchmarks to take of the standard (i.e. research, development,
support, policy development)

 - the board of directors includes federal and provincial government
members as well as members from the TESL community from every province
as well as 3 from TESL Canada, as well as assessment experts







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