The electronic european language portfolio: an account of new experiences in the use of ICT in a foreign language teaching resource centre in Cuba

Abstract

Technology is changing our lives in many ways, including how we learn and teach. Foreign language teachers have been turning to information technology in many ways such as power point presentations, software, the World Wide Web and The European Language Portfolio. A joint project created by The Flemish University Council (VLIR) and the central university “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas. (UCLV) uses English language as the lingua franca. In order to facilitate the communication CAELTIC (Centre for Advanced English Language Training for International Collaboration) has been created and equipped with modern technology. Under these conditions, CAELTIC staff was challenged to design ESP (English for Special Purposes) distant courses using ICT. One of the software tools implemented in these courses was The European Language Portfolio (ELP) for self assessment. The European Language Portfolio was developed from the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning (CEF). It was launched in 2001 by the Modern Languages Division of the Council of Europe. This document  supports the CEF and serves as a record of the student learning progress. It has three components: A language passport: summary of learners’ proficiency in different languages and is linked to the common reference levels in the CEF. Learners record their formal qualifications and language and intercultural skills, experiences and achievements. There is also a grid for self assessment. A language biography: description of the owner's experiences in each language and which is designed to guide the learner in planning and assessing progress. A dossier: collection of the best samples of his work and evidence of achievements in the foreign language learning. Since it is a document that complements the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and we are partners of a European project in a Cuban context we have adapted it to our Cuban reality. This paper is aimed at presenting an account of our experience in the use of this tool in Cuba- Belgium project language courses and to prove the ELP can be successfully implemented as an electronic assessment tool for ESP distant courses and in a non European environment (CAELTIC, for instance) and can also be adapted to the learner´ needs.