CEFR - level estimation grid for teachers

The CEF-ESTIM grid helps teachers link their class activities to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. It is an offspring of the DUTCH CEFR Grid project led by J. Charles Alderson (Lancaster University) providing an online tool for testers and exam makers. The CEF-ESTIM grid addresses wider perspectives aiming at productive and interactive use of language in the classroom.

The CEF-ESTIM grid has been designed for teachers who would like some help in planning lessons and in implementing the CEFR in teaching. It is a simple tool and caters for sharing experience and ideas with other teachers. It allows for creating archives of class materials, thus making it easier for a team of school teachers to collect a bank of activities linked to the CEFR levels through a qualitative validation procedure.

Who is it for?

Teachers
Teacher educators
Student Teachers

Download handbook

Resources

This document is designed to assist languages teachers in estimating and recording the level of individual texts and teaching materials according to the reference levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe.

The CEF-ESTIM Grid targets several user groups: originally designed for teachers working at secondary school level, it provides samples at A2, B1 and B2 levels. However, users at other levels and working in other contexts may also benefit from it. Teacher educators and disseminators are obvious potential users.

CEF-ESTIM Grid for download

Description Form

If you are going to record several materials, please download the description form

USING THE GRID - some examples

Sample 1 - Organize a school trip to London and make a flyer (Claire Tardieu)

Word document

Completed CEF-ESTIM Grid (see pages 9-20)

Sample 2 - A job interview (Nida Kozemiakaite)

Word document

Completed CEF-ESTIM Grid (see pages 9-20)

Related publications

	QualiTraining at Grassroots Level The publication includes materials and instruments, which can be transferred or adapted to concrete situations in e.g. teacher development, quality assurance training, project management and evaluation. The case studies and activities suggested, invite readers to find out what works best in their own educational environment and to develop relevant, innovative solutions to needs identified.
	Assessment of young learner literacy related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Primary school teachers are increasingly faced with the task of assessing the literacy of pupils in a language other than a pupil`s mother tongue. The handbook presents practical issues and principles associated with this assessment. The section on writing also contains a step-by-step guide for training teachers in the use of the material.
	Classroom Assessment related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages In response to a growing need expressed by the users of the CEFR, the Language Policy Division developed a manual and a set of accompanying tools to be used to assist in linking local language examinations to the common reference levels of language proficiency. This publication seeks to complement these tools by providing a user-friendly introduction to the process, targeting professionals with a stake in quality language testing who are not necessarily experts in testing and assessment.
	Encouraging the culture of evaluation among professionals “Pathways” presents an innovative way of reflecting on the multidimensionality of assessment, learning and teaching in line with the CEFR. It has been designed to support professionals at all levels. The two main components of “Pathways” - guide and kit - integrated by various indexes, mind maps and examples of scenarios, encourage users to work in a non linear way and to select and customize.
	Guidelines for University Language Testing This publication is a ‘hands-on’ manual for those language teachers and testers who are looking for a valid tool to measure their students’ language skills in a meaningful way.
	Piloting and implementing the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages The European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages is a tool for reflection and self-assessment of the didactic knowledge and skills necessary to teach languages. It builds on insights from the Common European Framework of Reference and the European Language Portfolio as well as the European Profile for Language Teacher Education.