About CASLT

Our History

Past Projects & Research

Language Proficiency & Student Recognition (2001-2006)

In response to requests from teachers and in an effort to increase the profile of French Second Language Programs in our secondary schools, CASLT is exploring the idea of a certificate of proficiency in French Second Language. Such a certificate could be awarded to high school students who continue their FSL programs to the end of high school. Through consultation with experts in the field of evaluation and language learning, the Board is presently exploring the feasibility of a proficiency test or some other type of assessment tool, which could be used to determine a student’s level of proficiency in FSL at the end of high school.

To date the project has reviewed the types of assessment tools and language proficiency tests, which are already in use in Canada and internationally. We have a database of outcomes of High School FSL programs.  Meetings with ministries of education and experts in evaluation and language learning are ongoing.

The project hopes to increase awareness of current proficiency testing levels, tools and testing methods in second language education amongst teachers and researchers and to increase communication between assessment experts across the country. We hope to increase understanding of the interest and support of Industry, University, and other potential project partners in the areas of usage and funding.

The third phase of the project focuses on bringing together partners toward the potential implementation of a national project.  Attention was focused on the Alberta Learning/ Edmonton Public Schools French Renewal Project that piloted the use of the Public Service Commission test on high school graduates.  The CASLT consulted the PSC and the researchers involved in the pilot and brought attention to the need of expanding the student sample to include a larger representation of core French graduates to accurately assess the tests feasibility for national implementation.

Three articles about the French Second Language Proficiency Test by Alina MacFarlane were published in the October 2003, Vol 23, No. 3 edition of Réflexions