INALCO, Paris 1 4 October 2011 George X Zhang European - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

INALCO, Paris 1 4 October 2011 George X Zhang

European Benchmarking Chinese Language Project (EBCL) � A brief update on European Benchmarking Chinese Language (EBCL) Project Language (EBCL) Project � EBCL framework – general principles � Paris seminar: Consultation for proposed EBCL for A1/2

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project � Background � Objectives � Implications � Project team � Work progress

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project Backgrounds � Increasing profile of China and exchange between Europe and China at all levels � Increasing demand and provision for Chinese language learning and teaching in Europe learning and teaching in Europe � Wide use of CEFR and CEFR based Language Portfolio and the interest in CEFR from outside Europe � Need for coherence and consistency in Chinese language learning, teaching and assessment across Europe � Shared passion and vision from colleagues and institutions involved in the project

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project Objectives � To propose a framework of competence descriptors for Chinese in European context Chinese in European context � To raised awareness of social and linguistic differences between Chinese and European languages � To create a network in Europe and beyond for universities, teachers, and other institutions concerned � To start a dynamic database of universities (and other institutions) in Europe that offer Chinese language courses

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project Implications A coherent and consistent framework of competence descriptions based upon CEFR that help assist with � Comparability of learning outcomes � Course and syllabus design � Material/textbook development � Assessment � Quality of information and services

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project Project team Partner universities and associated school partners � Rennes II, France � Freie University Berlin, Germany � La Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy � La Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy � School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK � Collège-Lycée Emile Zola de Rennes, France � Geschwister Scholl Gesamtschule, Germany � The Convitto Nazionale di Roma "Vittorio Emanuele II", Italy � Kingsford Community School, UK Panel of Advisory Board

1. A Brief Update on EBCL Project Work progress � - Survey of European universities and use of CEFR for their teaching of Chinese � Rome Seminar 19-20 May 2011 � Rome Seminar 19-20 May 2011 � EBCL website: www.ebcl.eu.com � A general database of universities surveyed – open database � Preliminary survey reports � Survey of existing CEFR descriptors and a draft proposal of EBCL framework for A1/2 by mid October � This very Seminar 14-15 Oct 2011 in Paris

2. EBCL framework – general principles � Based upon CEFR, including user oriented (learners, teachers, assessors, institutions etc) and reference only � Based on the European context, but with due attention to intercultural knowledge and skills intercultural knowledge and skills � Taken into consideration of linguistic features of the Chinese language � Taken into consideration the reality and development of Chinese language learning and teaching in Europe Aim: a modified framework of competence descriptors

2. EBCL framework – activities range CEF Ext contest C2 Activities Texts C1 Sub-themes Activities Operations B2 B2 Themes Activities Themes Activities Events Events Objects B1 Activities Persons A2 Sub-themes Activities Institution Location A1 Activities Domains Personal Public Educational Occupational

2. EBCL framework – proposal for A1/2 � A list of language activities based on themes/subthemes and domains as in CEFR, but reduced range with regard to the use of Chinese for A1/2 in European context � A list of language functions with vocabulary and speech A list of language functions with vocabulary and speech patterns to fulfil these functions in regard to language activities above for A1/2 levels � A list of vocabulary with a flexible range, including both active and passive words to complement the above 2 � A revised/modified framework of competence for reading and writing associated with listening and speaking, but also with regard to the Chinese language

2. EBCL framework – sample activities

2. EBCL framework – sample activities � They are demos to illustrate how language is used in action at A1/2 in European context � They are examples of some of the language functions in action across different skills; action across different skills; � They give list of vocabulary in order to fulfils the tasks concerning the activities and functions � They have re-defined competence descriptors for the selected activities based on the general competence descriptors based upon CEFR and the EBCL framework for each skill.

3. Challenges and Consultation o Chinese language teaching in Europe – needs, demands, awareness and lack of many things o Chinese language itself (distance between speech and written, between Chinese and European languages) languages) o Use of Chinese in European and Chinese Context o Intercultural awareness/skill o Reality of Chinese language teaching in Europe (timetable, requirement etc) o Opportunities and room for sustainable development

European Benchmarking Chinese Language Project (EBCL) Thank you! Thank you!