Introduction to the seminar programme and working methods

1
Introduction to the seminar programme and working
methods

• David LittleTrinity College Dublin

2
Background

• A growing number of Council of Europe member
  states are defining specific language
  requirements for persons seeking residence or
  citizenship status, and applicants are
  increasingly required to take language and
  knowledge-of-society tests
• Requirements relating to language training and
  tests are usually based on the proficiency levels
  of the Council of Europes Common European
  Framework of Reference for Languages
• The level(s) required can vary across member
  states

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Aims and working methods

• The seminar aims to facilitate a wide-ranging
  discussion of language policies for integration
  that will
• consider how the principles contained in the
  Common European Framework of Reference for
  Languages can best support the requirements of
  member states, particularly as regards language
  teaching and language testing
• explore key issues relating to decisions on
  language requirements
• offer guidance on quality assurance in language
  training
• address fundamental principles of language
  testing
• explore alternative or complementary approaches
  to assessment
• Some presentations are based on documents that
  can be downloaded from the Language Policy
  Division website
• All presentations are followed by discussion

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The programme

• The current state of play
• The results of a survey of language requirements
  for adult migrants (Claire Extramiana and Piet
  Van Avermaet)
• A round table on language proficiency
  requirements, language training and assessment
  (participants from Czech Republic, France,
  Germany, Italy and Spain)
• The Council of Europe perspective
• Languages in integration policies for adult
  migrants (Jean-Claude Beacco)
• The Common European Framework of Reference for
  Languages and the development of policies and
  language programmes for the integration of adult
  migrants

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The programme

• The provision of language training
• Quality assurance in the provision of language
  education and training for adult migrants
  (Richard Rossner)
• The new German integration policy the
  implementation of a nationwide integration course
  (Carola Cichos)
• Tailor-made language education for beginners in
  Dutch as a second language (Jeroen Devlieghere)
• The assessment of language proficiency
• Language tests for social cohesion and
  citizenship (Henk Kuijper)
• An alternative approach to teaching and
  assessment the experience of Integrate Ireland
  Language and Training (Barbara Lazenby Simpson)

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The programme

• Contributions from NGOs
• Sophie Dimitroulias, Association of Women of
  Southern Europe (AFEM)
• Véronique Laurens, CIMADE / CLP
• Closing session
• Plenary discussion
• Summary of conclusions