Association of Language Testers in Europe
A.L.T.E. comprises language institutions which develop examinations designed to test ability in the mother tongue of their own country or region. Founded in 1989 by the Universities of Cambridge and Salamanca, A.L.T.E. has grown from eight to 28 members representing 24 European languages.
A.L.T.E. members which have collaborated on the development of BULATS:
Cambridge ESOL
Cambridge ESOL has the world′s leading range of qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages and delivers around 1.5 million assessments in 135 countries worldwide. Cambridge ESOL is part of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). UCLES is one of the world′s largest and best known educational and assessment agencies. It develops formal examination syllabuses across a broad range of academic and vocational subject areas which are used around the world as part of national education programmes. UCLES is a part of the University of Cambridge.
www.CambridgeESOL.org
Alliance Francaise
Alliance Francaise is a state-approved, non-profit making organisation, founded in 1883. It is dedicated to the teaching and dissemination of French language and culture, and has over 1300 centres serving 380,000 students in 133 countries. All over the world the Alliance offers a variety of cultural activities and courses at all levels for people of all ages and occupations. It also offers seven different diplomas in language, civilisation, literature, business French and commercial translation, all set and marked in Paris.
www.alliancefr.org
The Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit-making, publicly funded organisation based in Munich. It was founded in 1951 to promote a wider knowledge of the German language abroad and to foster cultural co-operation with other countries. A world-wide organisation, it now has over 140 centres in 76 countries and helps over 108,000 students. The Goethe-Institut plays an important role in providing access to German language and culture all over the world and offers a range of German language examinations, ranging from ′threshold′ (basic) level to very advanced, and leading to internationally recognised qualifications in German.
www.goethe.de
Universidad de Salamanca
Founded in 1218, the Universidad de Salamanca has a strong international scientific and intellectual reputation, due in part to its promotion of Spanish language and culture, and its teaching and research activities in the field of Spanish as a Foreign Language. The University is responsible for developing, setting, marking and evaluating the official Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language which are issued and certified by the Instituto Cervantes.
www.usal.es
For an up to date list of A.L.T.E. members, contact A.L.T.E. at
www.alte.org
A.L.T.E. levels
A.L.T.E. was set up in order to promote the trans-European recognition of language certification by encouraging and developing common standards for all stages of the language testing process. The ALTE Framework of Levels for Language Ability was developed in response to ALTE′s objectives and has gained currency throughout Europe as the common standard to which all language qualifications should be linked. The Framework also corresponds to the Common European Framework established by the Council of Europe.
Council of Europe Level C2 - ALTE Level 5
Upper advanced level. Fully operational command of the language in most business and work situations, e.g. in the workplace can argue a case confidently, justifying and making points persuasively.
Council of Europe Level C1 - ALTE Level 4
Advanced level. Good operational command of the language in a range of business and work situations, e.g. can participate effectively in discussions and meetings.
Council of Europe Level B2 - ALTE Level 3
Upper-intermediate level. Generally effective command of the language in a range of familiar situations, e.g. can make a contribution to meetings on practical matters, but is unlikely to follow a complex argument.
Council of Europe Level B1 - ALTE Level 2
Intermediate level. Limited but effective command of the language in familiar situations, e.g. can take part in a routine meeting on familiar topics, particularly in a exchange of simple factual information.
Council of Europe Level A2 - ALTE Level 1
Elementary level. Very limited command of the language in a range of familiar situations, e.g. can understand and pass on simple messages.
Council of Europe Level A1 - ALTE Level 0
Beginner level. Very limited command of the language. Candidates at this level may know some phrases but cannot communicate in the language.
Can-do statements - The ALTE Can Do Project
A.L.T.E. has produced a series of Can Do statements, which describe what language users are actually able to do in a particular language. These statements have been through a thorough validation process, in order to place them correctly on the 5 levels of the A.L.T.E. Framework.
There are approximately 400 statements, which are divided into three main subject areas:
Social & Tourist, Work, Study. Within each subject area there are sets of statements relating to separate skills:
Listening & Speaking, Reading, Writing.
