In May 2013 the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe and the European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture signed a contribution agreement on “Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning”. This joint management agreement covers a period of 12 months.

The action will include two initiatives.

1.   ICT tools for language teaching and learning:

This initiative will aim at identifying the most efficient and accessible ICT tools available in support of language teaching and learning. In the age of open educational resources and massive online open courses, new tools can play a substantial role for the development of foreign language competences, relieving teachers of repetitive tasks and providing learners with new motivation, exposure to materials closer to their personal interests and opportunities for interaction with mother tongue speakers.

Expected deliverables:

• a commented inventory of ICT tools and open educational resources, promoted through an online platform and a publication;
•  modules for training in the use of available ICT tools and open resources in language teaching and learning and workshops for local/regional multipliers in selected EU and ECML Member States;
• local or regional clusters of multipliers promoting the use of ICT tools and open educational resources, supported by an online platform serviced by the ECML expert team.

2.  Linking language exams to the CEFR levels:

This initiative will focus on helping educational authorities relate national language examinations to the levels of proficiency defined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The introduction of more understandable, reliable and comparable assessment methods will prove beneficial for pupils, school authorities and potential employers. The ECML plans to conduct this activity through its well established networks.

Expected deliverables:

• development of training modules for assisting practitioners in the preparation of exam modules anchored to the CEFR levels of competence and workshops for local/regional multipliers in selected EU and ECML Member States;
• local or regional clusters of multipliers promoting quality assurance in developing language examinations linked to the CEFR, supported by an online platform serviced by the ECML expert team.