ELI MOE, UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN, NORWAY
ECML project:Language descriptors for migrant and minority learners’ success in compulsory education
Project detailsProject period: 2012 - 2013Main focus: the language of schoolingResearch question: What level of language competence do migrant/minority pupils need in order to do well in compulsory schooling, i.e. minimal standards?Focus group: • Migrant and minority students• Learning history/civics and mathematics• Age groups: 12/13 and 15/16 years old
Project groupFive project membersEli Moe University of Bergen, NorwayMarita Härmälä Finnish National Board of
Education, FinlandJosé Pascoal University of Lisbon, PortugalMeilute Ramoniene Vilnius University, LithuaniaPaula Kristmanson University of New Brunswick, Canada
Outputs -1 • 144 validated descriptors targeted at levels A2-B2 in six
languages (English, Finnish, French, Lithuanian, Norwegian and Portuguese)
• CEFR levels, indicated by teachers, as minimal standards for 12/13 (B1) and 15/16 (B2) year old students in history/civics and mathematics
• Practical examples of how the descriptors could be used.• Guidelines (and ideas) on how to describe minimal language
standards in other subjects and for other age groups
Outputs - 2• A project report in English and French
Language skills for successful subject learning
Compétences linguistiques pour des apprentissages disciplinaires réussis
Overall findingsHistory/civics Mathematics
12/13 year old pupils
B1 B1
15/16 year old pupils
B2 (or «approaching B2»- for a few lang. functions)
B2 (or «approaching B2» for a few lang. functions)
Thank you!
Interact in teamwork – example of speaking descriptors
CEFR level Descriptor
B2 Can contribute to a project work by reporting and explaining detailed information on topics that he/she finds interesting.
B2 Can help organise the work, give feedback to team members and suggest how to proceed the work.
B1 Can help to solve practical problems that arise, e.g. while working on a project, explain her/his opinion and ask for classmates’ views.
A2 Can ask and answer simple questions on subject topics that s/he knows well.
The future
How can such descriptors be used?By teachers• to raise awareness of the language-related aspects of various
school subjects and tasks• to determine language objectives for lessons• to use as formative assessment criteria • to use as self-assessment criteria for studentsBy researchers/ teacher trainers / teachers – a starting point for• developing descriptors for other subjects and age groups• developing teaching materials• developing context specific descriptors and teaching materials