UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE Johann Fischer University of Göttingen

UNIcert ® – the mission: To offer a training programme in modern languages for non-specialists, suiting their needs, in order to prepare them for the needs of the labour market and to offer them a complementary university qualification Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

1.UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE 2.The four UNIcert ® levels 3.UNIcert ® compared to other certificates 4.UNIcert ® “ around the world” 5.How to join? 6.UNIcert ® – challenges and projects 7.Example of a UNIcert ® exam Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

1.UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE

UNIcert ® is:  a training system  a certification system  for higher education Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

UNIcert ® :  four levels of competence  from (real) beginners to level C 2  approx.120 to 180 hours of teaching per level (?)  on courses during the term and during university holidays Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

UNIcert ® :  a framework system  to be adapted to local needs (LSP)  training in intercultural aspects Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

UNIcert ® :  preparation for a study-abroad programme  general training or LSP training  integrated into the study programme or optional Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

2. The four UNIcert ® levels

UNIcert ® level CEFR level number of teaching hours LSP? UNIcert ® I0 – B1  120 – 180 h general language UNIcert ® IIB2  120 – 180 h general language UNIcert ® IIIC1  120 – 180 h general language or LSP UNIcert ® IVC2  120 – 180 h general language or LSP Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

3. UNIcert ® compared to other certificates

UNIcert ® :  is not only a certification, but also a training system  is cheaper for the students  is a certificate of university / academic language competences Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

UNIcert ® :  is one of the most transparent certification systems: explanation of the training programme and description of the achieved level in at least two languages on the back of the certificate  allows a training programme in LSP directly linked to the study programme Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

4. UNIcert ® “around the world”

UNIcert ® :  created in 1990 by Bernd Voss and Christine Klein-Braley  initially for AKS members (German association of university language centres)  through an agreement ratified by the members of AKS Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

in Germany:  more than 50 institutions offering a UNIcert ® programme  more than certificates issued at all 4 levels and for 22 different languages Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

abroad:  1 institution in France (INH Angers) + 1 application in process  co-operation with French CLES system started recently  1 institution in Austria (FHS KufsteinTirol)  a franchise system with the Czech Republic and Slovakia Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

in the Czech Republic and Slovakia:  a franchise system with CASALC  UNIcert ® LUCE (LUCE = “Language Accreditation Unit for Universities in Central Europe”)  with its own Czech and Slovak accreditation committee  8 accredited institutions Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

5. How to join?

How to join? : 1. familiarise with official documents: oUNIcert ® framework omodel teaching and testing regulations oUNIcert ® examination regulations Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

How to join? : 2. familiarise with complementary documents: oUNIcert ® Handbook oother publications on UNIcert ® oteaching programmes and course structure at other universities Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

How to join? : 3. develop one’s own teaching programme and one’s own teaching and testing regulations in close co-operation with the administration at the institution AND with the UNIcert ® office Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

How to join? : 4. present the course programme and the teaching and testing regulations to the UNIcert ® committee for accreditation and implement changes if necessary Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

How to join? : 5. present the course programme and the teaching and testing regulations, that have already been accredited by the UNIcert ® committee, to the necessary boards within one’s own institution (and in some cases the ministry) in order to receive official status Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

How to join? : 6. start the language training and then the UNIcert ® exams Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

6. UNIcert ® – challenges and projects

the challenges:  interpretation of the levels – across member institutions and across languages  comparability of the achieved levels / of the certificates  quick progress on courses at beginners’ level and appropriate teaching material Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

the challenges:  homogeneity of the placement tests  towards a task-based language test  Bologna process = transformation process Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

the challenges:  changes linked to the Bologna process: ovalorisation of modules and no longer valorisation of courses otime problem ovalorisation autonomous learning and blended learning programmes Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

the challenges:  problem of comparability Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

the projects:  preparation of manuals with annotated exams for certain languages  development of calibrated placement tests (C-test)  calibration project: comparing the grades given with the results achieved in a standardised c-test Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

the projects:  preparation of a new UNIcert ® Handbook (which will serve as a guide for accredited and newly interested institutions) Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

7. Example of a exam 7. Example of a UNIcert ® exam

Business French Exam – UNIcert ® level III (level C 1 of the CEFR), University of Tübingen, November 2005 Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

Business French Exam: Exercises on LSP (45’) Reading comprehension (45’) Writing (60’) Listening comprehension (30’) Speaking (and content) (30’) Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

Business French exam:  exampleexample Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) “UNIcert ® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”

Johann Fischer Universität Göttingen ZESS Gosslerstr. 10 D Göttingen UNIcert ® Arbeitsstelle UNIcert  Institut für Anglistik/Amerikanistik Technische Universität Dresden D Dresden