European Language Portfolio

2011

Latvian Language Agency has published The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Language Examining and Tests Development (translation of the document is provided by State Language Centre).

2010

Latvian Association of Teachers of English has gathered information about the implementation of ELP for young learners (age 7-12) in schools from 2008 – 2010.

In cooperation with Latvian Language Agency, Language Learning Centre has developed European Language Portfolio for railway employees. Learning materials were sent to European Council, Accreditation Committee of ELP to be confirmed.

2009

Latvian Language Agency in cooperation with the National Centre for Education on March 26, 2009 has organized seminar ELP in School and Usage of Language Proficiency Levels in Foreign Language Learning for leaders of methodical association of English teachers.

The European Council’s document Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Language examining and test development has been submitted to State Language Centre for translation.

Gathering the data and survey results about ELP for adults (2007-2009),implemented by Language Learning Centre, Latvian Folk School and National Agency for Latvian Language Training.

European Language Portfolio for Railway Employees, developed by Language Learning Centre, has been submitted to ELP Accreditation Committee of Latvia on November 12, 2009.

2008

Latvian Association of Teachers of English has begun implementation of ELP for young learners (age 7-12) in schools.

In April, 2008, informative and educational seminars Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and European Language Portfolio for English, Russian and German teachers take place and are organized by State Language Agency and National Centre for Education.

In March, 2008, an informative and educational seminar for teachers, instructors, MA and PhD students of University of Latvia takes place and is organized by Language Learning Centre.

2007

State Language Agency has published The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Language Examining and Tests Development.

In January, 2007 an informative and educational seminar regarding ELP takes place and official meeting with A. Batlers (director of European Modern Language Centre) is arranged by State Language Agency in cooperation with Language Learning Centre.

In March, 2007, a seminar The Value of Language Skills in Europe and ELP for Language and Culture Acquisition is organized. It is provided for leaders of Livonian culture institutions and is supported by State Language Agency in cooperation with Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration.

In April, 2007, a conference Language for Action and Interaction is held in Riga, organized by the State Language Agency, and attended by language teachers.

State Language Agency in cooperation with Latvian Association of Teachers of English has prepared ELP for young learners (age 7-12) and submits it to Accreditation Committee on April 14, 2007.

Language Learning Centre, National Agency for Latvian Language Training and Latvian Folk School has begun implementation of ELP for adults in language training courses.

State Language Agency has prepared and published The European Language Portfolio: a guide for teachers and teacher trainers by David Little and Radka Perclová, translated in Latvian.

In summer of 2007, National Centre for Education provides further education courses, containing information about ELP in practice for foreign language teachers.

On October 22, 2007, ELP Accreditation Committee of European Council assigns ELP for young learners (age 7-12) with international accreditation number 92.2007.

State Language Agency has published learning aid My Language Portfolio. ELP for young learners (age 7-12). Accredited model Nr. 92.2007 and methodical material ELP for young learners (age 7-12). Guidelines for teachers. Authors: Silvija Andernovics, Karīna Brikmane, Ināra Dimpere, Dace Dumpe, Rita Kursīte, Inga Lande, Elita Lufta.

2006

State Language Agency in cooperation with Ministry of Education and Science and Centre of Terminology and Translation has prepared and published European Council’s document European Language Portfolio (ELP). Principles and Guidelines with added explanatory notes. Version 1.0.

Language Learning Centre in cooperation with State Language Agency has improved ELP for adults in Latvia and English; following European Council’s Accreditation Committee’s recommendations, a new methodical material has been added in Latvian and Russian.

On October 3, 2006, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia has approved State Language Policy Programme 2006 – 2010, where ELP has been included as a part of contemporary education, language acquisition in particular, and innovative learning aid.

On November 28, 2006, ELP for adults is assigned with international accreditation number 84.2006 by the ELP Accreditation Committee of European Council.

State Language Agency has published European Language Portfolio for adults. Accredited model Nr. 84.2006. Authors: Dace Dalbiņa, Iveta Grīnberga, Inguna Jundze, Silvija Kārkliņa, Signe Ostrovska, Ieva Zuicena.

Dace Dalbiņa, Vita Kalnbērziņa, Inga Kokoreviča, Anta Lazareva, Arvils Šalme, Ieva Zuicena – the working group of the publishing office “Jaunā Daugava” – has finished the editing of the translation of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Language Examining and Tests Development and the document is ready for publishing.

The working group of Latvian Association of Teachers of English continues to improve ELP for young learners (age 7-12) in Latvian and English. Latvian version has been approbated, and additional methodical recommendations (language proficiency self-testing) are developed for ELP users (students and parents).

ELP for young learners (age 7-12) has been submitted to ELP’s Accreditation Committee.

With the financial support of Ministry of Education and Science The European Language Portfolio: a guide for teachers and teacher trainers by David Little and Radka Perclová has been translated published.
Language Learning Centre has developed a project Uniform Railway Language for a Safer Europe which gets Leonardo da Vinci programme’s support for developing of European Language Portfolio for railway employees. Six of European Union institutions has taken part in the project.

In 2006 and 2007 Latvian Association of Teachers of English has organized annual ELP workshops.

2005

With the order Nr. 244 “About ELP’s Accreditation Committee”, by Ministry of Education and Science, a new committee – ELP Accreditation Committee – was established (chair J. Valdmanis, director of State Language Agency, vice-chairwoman I. Īvāne, senior expert of General Education Department, Division of Education Development; committee’s members: D. Dalbiņa, manager of Language Certification Department, S. Kārkliņa, Language Learning Centre director, G. Masaļska, assistant director of General Education Department, E. Papule, head of integration Department, B. Šiliņa, assistant director of National Agency for Language Training, I. Vītola, head of Project Department at the State Language Agency, and I. Zuicena, senior researcher at Latvian Language Institute).

Latvian Association of Teachers of English receives financial support from State Language Agency in the project contest “Development of the State Language” for development, drafting and approbating the manuscript of ELP for primary school pupils.

The working group of publishing office “Jaunā Daugava” receives financial support from the State Language Agency in the project contest “Development of the State Language” to prepare and publish The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Language Examining and Tests Development in Latvian.

On April 8, 2005, ELP Accreditation Committee of Latvia has been established.

State Language Agency in cooperation with Language Learning Centre has developed and in April, 2005, repeatedly submits ELP for adults (in Latvian and English) to ELP Accreditation Committee in Strasbourg.

After receiving the resolution of ELP Accreditation Committee of European Council, ELP for adults has been submitted to ELP Accreditation Committee of Latvia for further improvement.

On November 25, 2005, Language Learning Centre with financial support of State Language Agency has arranged educational seminar for ELP developers, and on November 26, 2005 – a conference for language teachers, educationalists and teacher trainers, to share the practice and user experience of ELP in Europe, its development and usage in Latvia.

2004

In order to facilitate implementation of ELP, on June 16, 2004, State Language Agency holds a project competition “Development of the State Language”. A special guideline is set – “Development of ELP and its Implementation in Latvia”.

As a result of the contest, Language Learning Centre receives financial support from State Language Agency for approbating and testing the initial manuscript of ELP for adults in language learning courses and in the universities.

Language Learning Centre participates in international project on Internet version of innovative and multilingual ELP.

2003

Experts of Language Learning Centre and National Centre or Education have finished the initial test version of ELP for adults and draft the first version of ELP for secondary school students.

On September 26, 2003 within the activities of European Day of Languages, ELP for adults is being introduced to wider public.

On November 25, 2003, State Language Agency has been established; among its different tasks, the implementation of “European Language Portfolio in Latvia” as a special task is assigned.

Language Learning Centre, Infectology Centre of Latvia and Medical College of Riga has taken part in international project European Language Portfolio for nurses, intended to improve their skills of English language. The portfolio is developed in English, Finnish, Italian and Latvian.

Language Learning Centre participates in international project “Linguapeace Europe”’, aimed at developing a common learning aid for acquisition of military terms in English (11 countries in Europe take part in the project). More information can be found at website: http://www.linguapeace-europe.net.

2001 – 2002

Latvian experts get introduced with the ELP project, its theoretical and methodical framework, respective literature and experience and practice of other countries. Special terminology is being translated, adapted and coordinated.

Translation and editing work of The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment. Language Examining and Tests Development has begun.

Two working groups are established to develop the very first Latvian ELP for secondary school students and ELP for adults. Representatives and experts from the Ministry of Education and Science, University of Latvia and Language Learning Centre (Evija Papule, Dace Dalbiņa, Iveta Vītola, Anita Neimane, Vēsma Ludriksone, Iveta Grīnberga, Ieva Zuicena, Silvija Kārkliņa, Signe Ostrovska, Inguna Jundze, Astrīda Kroģere) take part in the project. Both working groups are supervised by Dr.philol. Ieva Zuicena, the senior researcher at the Latvian Language Institute.

1997

As a part of the project, financed by the European Council, Latvian State Language Centre has developed a resource “The proficiency level of Latvian: modern languages” (Zuicena, I. Latviešu valodas prasmes līmenis: modernās valodas. Germany: 1997, 205pg. ISBN 92-871-3266-6).