European Language Portfolio

The Conseil Européen pour les Langues / European Language Council has launched of its own model of the Council of Europe’s European Language Portfolio (ELP), specifically designed for the higher education sector. The ELP, which constitutes a practical application of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages, is designed to promote plurilingualism and dialogue between cultures; facilitate mobility in Europe; strengthen and preserve cultural diversity; foster autonomous learning; encourage lifelong language learning. The ELP can be used for all languages and in any institutional environment. It allows learners to record their language skills and to give prominence to their intercultural experiences - and this in regard to all foreign languages learnt. Thanks to the use of a set of common skill-specific descriptors developed for the Common European Framework of Reference, the ELP provides transparent and internationally comparable information about a learner’s proficiency in any number of languages. The CEL/ELC’s ELP contains a number of additional descriptors specifically developed for higher education, which can provide guidance for the development of innovative language curricula and of other types of language provision. The Portfolio can play an important role in the creation of European lifelong learning area in general and of a European higher education area as envisaged in the Bologna Declaration in particular. Moreover, it can facilitate the development and implementation of coherent institutional language policies in the higher education sector.
For more information please visit the website of the European Language Council (in English, French and German) or the website of the Language Centre of the University of Lausanne (in French). The portfolio inserts are freely available in German and Spanish; however the original, base version of the portfolio in French and English is only available for purchase through the publisher, Schulverlag Plus.

Country: Austria
Publication year: 2002
Target group(s): General public Language learners Students
Language(s): English French German Spanish
Level(s): Tertiary (first stage) Tertiary (second stage)
Author(s): Brigitte Forster Vosicki
Model for learners in higher education

EUROPEAN LANGUAGE COUNCIL

The Language Portfolio ELP III for young people from age 16 and adults is the first Swiss Language Portfolio. As of the new edition published in 2010, it is now supported by the web portal www.sprachenportfolio.ch (information available in English, German, Italian, French and Romansh. The Internet portal helps you fill in the Language Portfolio and allows you to use all the functions of the ELP III. Once purchased, all documents are available for download and can be filled in electronically. With the support of the Internet, the Portfolio becomes much more flexible. At the same time, you can benefit from the advantages of the clear folder structure to find the documents you need. Here you will learn about possible uses of the Language Portfolio III and you will receive instructions on how to use it as a student or as a teacher. This website provides generally accessible information and instructions regarding the usage of the ELP III for all learners and teachers and, as of 2011, for various target groups, e.g. for general education schools (matura schools and specialised middle schools) and for vocational education schools.

Country: Switzerland
Publication year: 2000
Target group(s): Adults (in general) General public Language learners Participants in adult education programmes pupils Students Young people (in general)
Language(s): English French German Italian Romansh
Level(s): Adult Lower secondary Post-secondary Tertiary (first stage) Tertiary (second stage) Upper secondary
Author(s): Günther Schneider, Brian North, Leo Koch
Model for young people and adults

ELP II supports learners at primary and lower secondary level in their language learning process. The aim of working with the ELP is to foster language awareness, to improve learners’ abilities to describe their language proficiency and to enhance their capacity to reflect on their learning and intercultural experiences. The ELP has been developed to foster learner autonomy in language learning, to stimulate an interest in plurilingualism and to motivate language learners. ELP II coherently builds on ELP I (version for learners at primary level, 2005) and develops the portfolio competences necessary for ELP III (version for young people and adults, 2001). The portfolio can be ordered from the publisher, Schulverlag Plus.

Country: Switzerland
Publication year: 2005
Target group(s): General public Language learners pupils Young people (in general)
Language(s): English French German Italian Romansh
Level(s): Lower secondary
Author(s): Simone Bersinger, Urs Jordi, Martine Tchang
Model for learners in lower secondary education

This European Language Portfolio model guides learners at primary level in their language learning process. The aim of working with the ELP is to foster language awareness, to improve learners’ abilities to describe their language proficiency and to enhance their capacity to reflect on their learning and intercultural experiences. The ELP has been developed to foster learner autonomy in language learning, to stimulate an interest in multilingualism and to motivate language learners. The model also comes with a specially developed "Portfolino" for very young learners. By working with the Portfolino, the European Language Portfolio (ELP) for learners attending pre-school or the first year of primary school, children become aware that they are living in a multilingual, multicultural world. The sections on languages in my environment, languages at school and languages outside school enable children to compile their own first language biographies. The documents contained in the Portfolino allow them to discover language competences and to describe language use for the first time. The portfolio and portfolino are available to order from the publisher, Schulverlag Plus.

Country: Switzerland
Publication year: 2008
Target group(s): Children General public Language learners pupils
Language(s): English French German Italian Romansh
Level(s): Pre-primary Primary
Author(s): Régine Berras, Olivier Mack, Monika Mettler, Véronique Roncoroni-Arlettaz, Esther Sauer, Andrea Zeiger
Model for young learners aged 7 to 11 (including a Portfolino for children aged 4 to 7)

This portfolio model was developed by a team of experts on behalf of the City of Hamburg, and is intended for use in German lower secondary schools. It can be ordered online from the publisher Diesterweg.

Country: Germany
Publication year: 2003
Target group(s): General public Language learners pupils Young people (in general)
Language(s): English French German Turkish
Level(s): Lower secondary
Author(s): City of Hamburg
Model for learners in lower secondary education

The European Language Portfolio (ELP) is a tool created by the Council of Europe for language learners in order to help them to assess and document their knowledge on their own. The Vienna Board of Education, the Vienna Pedagogic Institute and the Association of National Education, together with organisations from neighbouring countries, were involved in creating a European Language Portfolio for the Central-European Region that is intended to cross between regions and levels and point out and document language ability as well as social and cross-cultural experiences of learners in the Centrope Region. Included in this project are primary level (6 to 10 year olds), secondary level I (10 to 15 year olds), secondary level II (16 to 19 year olds) and adult education. The model for learners aged 10-15 was developed in 2000, during the CERNET project (1996-2004) which was supported by the European Union, and the European Office of the Board of Education in Vienna.

Country: Austria
Publication year: 2004
Target group(s): Children General public Language learners pupils Young people (in general)
Language(s): English German
Level(s): Lower secondary Primary
Author(s): Franz Schimek, Claudia Ischepp, Brigitte Schützelhofer, Hobln Traude Huber
Model for learners aged 10-15

The EAQUALS/ALTE version of the European Language Portfolio has been introduced to stimulate and support the learning of languages of adults (16+). It is designed to help language learners reflect on and improve their learning process, whether they are taking part in a course or learning languages independently. It also helps to show their knowledge of other languages and cultures. It is based on the language levels described in the Common European Framework of Reference developed by the Council of Europe.
This Portfolio is a tool to accompany the learning of languages throughout adult life and is suitable for documenting learning both inside and outside the classroom. It contains pages in French, German, Italian and English.
Cost 6 €
The distribution and sale of the EAQUALS/ALTE ELP is handled by: S.I.E.S. Srl (Servizio Importazione Esportazione Stampa) Silvana Bettoni tel. (0039) 02.66.030.241 Rita Alessi tel. (0039) 02.66.030.403 Email: [email protected]
There is also a version in Spanish, Basque, French and English. This is available at a cost of 6 € from the Basque Government, Department of Education.
Order from: Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco. Calle Donostia-San Sebastián 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz. Basque Country, Spain
There is also an electronic version, available for free download from the dedicated website run by EAQUALS and ALTE.

Country: Andorra
Publication year: 2000
Target group(s): Adults (in general) General public Language learners Participants in adult education programmes Students
Language(s): Basque English French German Italian Spanish
Level(s): Adult Post-secondary Tertiary (first stage) Tertiary (second stage)
Author(s): Association of Language Testers in Europe, Evaluation & Accreditation of Quality in Language Services
Model for adult learners

EAQUALS/ALTE

The UK adult/vocational European Language Portfolio (ELP) has been developed for use by adults who are learning languages for work or social purposes. The ELP has been used by learners in adult, further and higher education, business language learners and students following vocationally-related language courses. The ELP, first published in 2002, was revised and reapproved by the Council of Europe in December 2006 and published in spring 2007.
The UK adult ELP follows the format, specified by the Council of Europe, of all European Language Portfolios, but has been tailored to be particularly relevant to adult or work-related language learning in the UK. It is currently the UK’s sole model for use by adults.
Like other ELPs, the adult ELP is not designed to replace existing courses or qualifications, but to complement these by enhancing the learning process and providing a single collection point for evidence of all an individual’s linguistic and intercultural skills. It can also be used for benchmarking skills levels, setting objectives and charting progress.
The Adult ELP is available in hard copy at a cost of £4.75 (£4 for 150+ copies). If you would like to order a hard copy please visit the CILT shop.
Alternatively, you can download it from the CILT website in either PDF or Word format (for learner completion).

Country: United Kingdom
Publication year: 2001
Target group(s): Adults (in general) General public Language learners Participants in adult education programmes
Language(s): English
Level(s): Post-secondary Adult
Author(s): John Thorogood, Gill Musk, Cherry Sewell
Model for adults (with a particular, but not exclusive, focus on the learner of languages for vocational purposes)

The junior version of the European Language Portfolio is a Council of Europe initiative, launched in the 2001 European Year of Languages. The ELP provides pupils with a record of their achievements and progress in languages.
The 2001 version has now been superseded by a second edition - validated model 70.2006. Visit the Primary Languages website for more information.

Country: United Kingdom
Publication year: 2001
Target group(s): Children General public Language learners pupils
Language(s): English
Level(s): Primary
Author(s): Patricia McLagan
Model for children

The junior version of the European Language Portfolio is a Council of Europe initiative, launched in the 2001 European Year of Languages. The ELP provides pupils with a record of their achievements and progress in languages. The second edition of this portfolio was accredited in 2006 by the Council of Europe.
The Junior ELP is:
a way to celebrate language learning and intercultural experiences an open-ended record of children’s achievements in languages addressed to and is the property of the learner a valuable source of information to aid transfer and transition
For more information visit the website of the UK Primary Languages initiative.

Country: United Kingdom
Publication year: 2006
Target group(s): Children General public Language learners pupils
Language(s): English
Level(s): Primary
Author(s): Patricia McLagan
Model for junior learners

This model of the European Language Portfolio was developed by Sofia University in partnership with organisations in 5 different European countries.

Country: Bulgaria
Publication year: 2003
Target group(s): Adults (in general) General public Language learners Participants in adult education programmes Students Young people (in general)
Language(s): Bulgarian English French German Italian
Level(s): Adult Post-secondary
Author(s): Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
Model for learners in vocational sectors

The electronic European Language Portfolio for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ELPBVI) is aimed at visually impaired adult users aged 16 or above. The ELPBVI adopts principles outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and at the same time considers the specific needs of target users in terms of content and navigation. The ELPBVI can be used by totally blind learners with the help of screen readers transforming text to speech as well as by partially sighted users through font enlarging facilities. The ELPBVI user can choose between five identical language versions: English, German, Greek, Bulgarian and Italian.
For more information please visit the project website.

Country: Please select
Publication year: 2010
Target group(s): Adults (in general) General public Language learners Participants in adult education programmes Students
Language(s): Bulgarian English German Greek Italian
Level(s): Adult Post-secondary Tertiary (first stage) Tertiary (second stage)
Author(s): Euroinform Bulgaria, International Certificate Conference, Helios School for the Blind of Northern Greece, BFI Steiermark, Language Training London, National Association of Blind Entrepreneurs Bulgaria
Model for the Blind and Visually Impaired

ELPBVI

This model of the European Language Portfolio was developed for use in Irish secondary schools, and is published by Authentik.

Country: Ireland
Publication year: 2001
Target group(s): General public Language learners pupils Young people (in general)
Language(s): English
Level(s): Lower secondary
Author(s): Authentik Ireland
Model for learners in post-primary education

Das Portfolio wurde für 6- bis 10-Jährige nach europaweit verbindlichen Richtlinien des Europarates entwickelt. Das Portfolio ... - soll Kindern helfen, sich der sprachlichen Vielfalt ihrer Umgebung bewusst zu werden, vom Dialekt über die Umgangs- und Standardsprache zu Fremdsprachen; - soll die Grundlagen für eigenständiges Lernen und Selbsteinschätzung von Kompetenzen im Verlaufvon vier Jahren legen helfen; - soll Können und Fortschritte dokumentieren und ermöglicht die Wertschätzung aller Schulsprachen und auch jener, die die Kinder in ihren Familien sprechen; - ermutigt die Kinder, auch persönliche Erfahrungen im Kontakt mit anderen Kulturen zu dokumentieren; - soll schrittweise zur Reflexion des eigenen (Sprach-) Lernverhaltens hinführen und dadurch effiziente Lernstrategien für die weiterführenden Schulen und fürs ganze Leben entwickeln helfen. An das ESP für die Grundschule schließt das Mittelstufenportfolio (10- bis 15-Jährige) an, gefolgt vom ESP für junge Erwachsene (ESP 15+), sodass die SchülerInnen dieses Lernbegleitinstrument durch ihre gesamte Schulzeit und darüber hinaus nutzen können.
For more information and to purchase a copy of this portfolio, please visit the website of the Österreichisches Sprachen-Kompetenz-Zentrum (in German only).

Country: Austria
Publication year: 2009
Target group(s): Children
Language(s): English French German
Level(s): Primary
Author(s): Maria Felberbauer, Silvia Grabner, Arnold Gritsch, Christine Junek, Deborah Pelzmann
Model for children (aged 6-10)

Das Europäische Sprachenportfolio für junge Erwachsene (ESP 15+) …
- wurde speziell für Spracheninteressierte ab 15 Jahren entwickelt, ist also geeignet für Lernende in der Sekundarstufe II, in weiterführenden Bildungsbereichen (z.B. an Universitäten, Fachhochschulen, Pädagogischen Hochschulen) sowie für Sprachenlernende, die bereits einen Berufsweg eingeschlagen haben;
- wurde im Hinblick auf die Verwendung im allgemein bildenden sowie berufsbildenden Schulbereich konzipiert und hat somit einen dualen Ansatz, der Lehrplaninhalte der Allgemeinbildung und der beruflichen Bildung unterstützt;
- führt die Schülerinnen und Schüler zur Erreichung von jenen Niveaustufen, die es laut Lehrplänen zu erreichen gilt;
- unterstützt die Lernenden beim Erwerb von Methodenkompetenz und handlungsorientierter (Fremd-)Sprachenkompetenz;
- dient der größtmöglichen Entfaltung des individuellen Leistungspotenzials durch Fokussierung auf realistische Ziele.
Die Verwendung eines Europäischen Sprachenportfolios ist somit eine wesentliche Bereicherung im Sprachenunterricht und beim persönlichen Spracherwerb.
For more information and to purchase a copy of this portfolio, please visit the website of the Österreichisches Sprachen-Kompetenz-Zentrum (in German only).

Country: Austria
Publication year: 2007
Target group(s): Language learners
Language(s): English French German
Level(s): Upper secondary
Author(s): Gunther Abuja, Franz Mittendorfer, Eva Annau, Siegfried Ganster, Anita Keiper, Isolde Mayer-Tauschitz, Margarete Nezbeda, Belinda Steinhuber, Gabriele Winkler
Model for learners aged 15+

It is designed to support pupils aged 6 to 12 years learning the major national languages of Belgium (French and Dutch) but also in the learning of Rumanian, Turkish, Spanish and Italian. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and it corresponds to the levels A1, A2 and B1. The ELP is available in four multilingual versions:
- Dutch-French-Rumanian
- Dutch-French-Turkish
- Dutch-French-Spanish
- Dutch-French-Italian
The portfolio encourages pupils to reflect on their knowledge of languages and to develop their language learning not only at school but also at home or during their leisure activities. The purpose of the portfolio is to stimulate the autonomy of the learners and to valorise their knowledge of languages and intercultural skills. By using this portfolio pupils also reflect on how they study a language; Howard Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences is used to make suggestions on facilitating language learning.
For more information and to order the model please contact: [email protected]

Country: Belgium
Publication year: 2012
Target group(s): pupils
Language(s): English
Level(s): Primary
Author(s): Integration Centre Foyer Brussels, Patrizia Civetta