i.thecommoneuropeanframeworkofreferencefor.docVIP

I. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the development of policies for the integration of adult migrants David Little Trinity College, Dublin Abstract 1 1 Introduction 2 2 The CEFR’s action-oriented approach 3 3 The CEFR’s proficiency levels 4 4 The issue of tests for adult migrants 9 5 Using the CEFR to support language course development and delivery 10 6 Conclusion 14 7 Appendix 1?: CEFR Common Reference Levels: self-assessment grid 15 Abstract This discussion paper summarizes the Council of Europe’s key aims and its policy regarding the language needs of migrants; explains how the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is intended to serve the Council of Europe’s aims; outlines the CEFR’s action-oriented approach to the description of language use; summarizes the CEFR’s six proficiency levels, describing in some detail the communicative range that each level entails; briefly addresses the issue of tests for adult migrants; and explains how the CEFR can be used to support the development and delivery of language programmes for adult migrants. Introduction The Council of Europe was established to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. In pursuit of these goals it develops continent-wide agreements to standardize the social and legal practices of member states and promotes awareness of a European identity that is based on shared values and cuts across different cultures. These concerns explain why the Council of Europe attaches great importance to the maintenance of linguistic and cultural diversity and encourages language learning as a means of preserving linguistic and cultural identity, improving communication and mutual understanding, and combating intolerance and xenophobia. Language is central to many of the challenges posed by migration, especially integration and the maintenance of social cohesion. Migrants’ access to education and training in the host country is pa