Assessment of Language Competence Certificates (ALC)
Introduction
Please note:
The closing date for 2008 ALC registrations has been extended to Friday, May 23.
What are the certificates?
The Assessment of Language Competence Certificates is a program designed to celebrate and enhance the learning of Languages in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. The program is an initiative of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, in collaboration with ACER. The skills testing program includes reading and listening comprehension tasks in a multiple choice format designed to be both challenging and to enable all students to experience success. In 2007, the program has benefited through sponsorship from the Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Australia-China Council.
The materials are designed to take into account current research in the assessment of languages as well as the experience of practicing teachers. Materials are retained by participating schools to provide examples of good assessment ideas for teachers to use in their own test development, if they wish.
By participating in the testing program each student receives a certificate which describes the skills they have demonstrated in reading and listening. The school also receives a report which provides information about their students' performance and a summary statement of their school's results relative to all schools that have taken part.
Tasks
Certificate 1 students undertake a 20-25 minute listening task. The Certificate 2 and Certificate 3 materials consist of a 30 minute reading task and a 25-30 minute listening task conducted in the school.
Students respond to realistic texts and situations, and answer, using multiple choice format. The materials are designed to give all students experience of success, and also to offer more able students some challenge.
There is no need to teach to particular topics for the ALC tests. Topics are not advertised beforehand so as to enable all students, regardless of state or country, to have equal access to the materials in the tests.