The European Indicator of Language Competence Presentation Policy Forum, Council of Europe, 7 February 2007

1)European Council in Barcelona 2002: improve the mastery of basic skills, teaching at least two foreign languages from a very early age establishment of the linguistic competence indicator 2)Communication from the Commission in 2005 The European Indicator of Language Competence 3)European Council conclusions May 2006: the foundation for the framework and conclusion on a number of key issues concerning the indicator. 1. Background

2. EILC Advisory Board The Commission called for support from Member States and the European Council invited to set up the European Indicator of Language Competence Advisory Board The Advisory Board, set up in October 2006, consists of experts from Member States and Council of Europe Mandate: to advise on the preparation and implementation of the language indicator specific technical matters (sample size, testing methods, arrangements for administering the test)

3. Towards the European survey The skills to be tested (reading, writing, listening) Langauges to be tested (most taught official European languages) Testing instruments The survey should be based on the CEFR – create a testing instrument to measure a continuum of increasing levels of competences on the scales from the framework Who will be tested in the survey? (ISCED 2 or 3) Contextual data will be collected

The Commission will report back on progress of work in a forthcoming Communication to the Council The Council will be invited to endorse the presented framework The Commission will then be able to launch preparations for the survey 4. Implementation of the Survey

Further developments will depend on the Council conclusions Tests have to be coordinated in accordance with other national and international surveys At the earliest a test would be carried out in the first half of 2010 Final results published end of Time schedule

Thank you for your attention!