UNIcertUNIcert®® – – a language teaching a language teaching and testing system for HEand 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”
1.1. UNIcertUNIcert®® – – a language teaching and a language teaching and
testing system for HEtesting 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. 2. The four The four UNIcertUNIcert®® levels levels
UNIcert®
level CEFR level
number of teaching hours
LSP?
UNIcert® I 0 – B1 120 – 180 h general language
UNIcert® II B2 120 – 180 h general language
UNIcert® III C1 120 – 180 hgeneral language
or LSP
UNIcert® IV C2 120 – 180 hgeneral language
or LSP
Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) • “UNIcert® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”
3. 3. UNIcertUNIcert®® compared to compared to other certificatesother 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. 4. UNIcertUNIcert®® “around the “around the world”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 54.000 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 SlovakiaJohann 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 institutionsJohann Fischer (University of Göttingen) • “UNIcert® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”
5. 5. How to join?How to join?
How to join? :
1. familiarise with official documents:
o UNIcert® framework
o model teaching and testing regulations
o UNIcert® examination regulations
Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) • “UNIcert® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”
How to join? :
2. familiarise with complementary documents:
o UNIcert® Handbook
o other publications on UNIcert®
o teaching 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. 6. UNIcertUNIcert®® – challenges – challenges and projects 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:
o valorisation of modules and no longer valorisation of courses
o time problem
o valorisation 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”
Sprachein Zahlen in Prozent in Zahlen in Prozent in Zahlen in Prozent in Zahlen in Prozent in Zahlen in Prozent in Zahlen in Prozent
Stufe I 0 0.0% 40 3.3% 51 4.2% 13 1.1% 0 0.0% 104 8.5%Stufe II 67 5.5% 0 0.0% 8 0.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 75 6.2%Stufe III 939 77.2% 62 5.1% 1 0.1% 13 1.1% 16 1.3% 1031 84.7%Stufe IV 7 0.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 7 0.6%Summe 1013 83.2% 102 8.4% 60 4.9% 26 2.1% 16 1.3% 1217 100.0%
DaF alle Sprachen
Anzahl der ausgewerteten TestsEnglisch Französisch Spanisch Italienisch
73.4783.40
102.87
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
A F K O
Ø II A B C D E F I J K L M N
Ø II
I B F I
Ø IV
C-Test Results English
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. 7. Example of a Example of a UNIcert® examexam
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:
example
Johann Fischer (University of Göttingen) • “UNIcert® – a language teaching and testing system for HE”
Johann FischerUniversität GöttingenZESSGosslerstr. 10D-37073 Gö[email protected]://www.zess.uni-goettingen.de/
UNIcert®
Arbeitsstelle UNIcert
Institut für Anglistik/AmerikanistikTechnische Universität DresdenD-01062 Dresden [email protected]://www.unicert-online.org
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