10 ways the CEFR supports powerful French instruction
February 13, 2018
Since 2004, CASLT (the Canadian Associate of Second Language Teachers) has been encouraging Canadian teachers to use the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to support language instruction–particularly French as a second language (FSL) instruction.1
But what is the CEFR?
An easy-to-understand set of standards for measuring language proficiency. The framework also provides guidelines to support effective teaching, learning and assessment of second language learning.
Is the CEFR New?
No, the CEFR was developed by the Council of Europe and published in 2001 after 12 years of research.
Who uses the CEFR?
In Canada, the CEFR is being used in whole or in part by education ministries and language learning programs in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and the Atlantic Provinces.2
Why should Canadian teachers use the CEFR?
While designed to use with any language, many Canadian educators find the CEFR useful for teaching French as a second language (FSL).
Teaching with the CEFR offers plenty of benefits.
Teacher benefits
- Outlines six standard levels of language proficiency (from A1 through C2)
- Uses “I can” statements so students and teachers can easily measure those language proficiency levels
- Focuses on key dimensions of language learning learning: writing, speaking and understanding
- Provides educators across the country with a standard framework for second language learning, teaching and assessment
- The CEFR is a FREE resource for educators!
Student benefits
- Uses task-based, dynamic and action-oriented learning strategies
- Helps students learn authentic communication using real-world language
- Promotes student autonomy
School board benefits
- Allows school boards and Ministries of Education to communicate goals for FSL programs in common, plain language.
- Helps school boards appropriately place transfer students
Level Up
The 6 levels of student progression in the CEFR
CEFR uses 'I can' statements at each level to describe what language learners can understand, say and write in the language they are learning.3
