unicert ® – a language teaching and testing system for he johann fischer university of göttingen...

UNIcertUNIcert®® – – a language teaching a language teaching and testing system for HEand testing system for HE

Johann Fischer

University of Göttingen

johann.fischer@uni-goettingen.de

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 Göttingenjohann.fischer@uni-goettingen.dehttp://www.zess.uni-goettingen.de/

UNIcert®

Arbeitsstelle UNIcert

Institut für Anglistik/AmerikanistikTechnische Universität DresdenD-01062 Dresden dresden@unicert-online.orghttp://www.unicert-online.org