Assessment of Language Competence Certificates (ALC)
News
Name change and structure of the tests in 2007
Over the last couple of years we have been flagging the idea of changing the name and the structure of our tests to more accurately reflect levels of expected competencies. We are pleased to report that after wide consultation, the new name from 2007 will be Assessment of Language Competence, French Certificate 1, 2, 3, German Certificate 1, 2 3 etc. Note that we have retained the ALC as an acronym. We thank teachers who have sent in their suggestions.
We have also decided on a new structure for the tests. There will be a single test booklet for Certificates 2 and 3 which will incorporate both levels of listening and reading. This will be made available to all schools who register students for either Certificates 2 or 3. As there will be a common set of items at each level, the test booklets will be available as class sets. The total number issued will be based on the highest number of students enrolling for a level. Teachers will be expected to collect the test booklets at the end of a test and ensure that students do not mark them so that they can be reused for testing the next level. Certificate 1 Listening tests will take the same format as previously which is a two page test. Audio CDs accompany the listening test.
Several factors have motivated these changes. Firstly, we have been keen to provide teachers with a single scale on which to report students’ developing competencies. This more closely resembles the reality of learning as a continuum and the assessment of competencies in listening and reading as a progression. Secondly, from the information provided in the questionnaire conducted in 2003 and from personal observation, we are aware that in the majority of cases students do not actually keep the test booklets. The idea of providing class sets rather than a test booklet for each individual student thus reflects common practice. Thirdly, teachers have continually requested the introduction of new levels of tests. The proposed new structure makes this possible despite potentially small enrolments particularly at certificate 3 level.
Registrations in 2008
Registration for Certificate 1 (listening only) will be $8.00. Registration for Certificates 2 and 3 (listening and reading) will be $11. A school participation fee of between $30 (1-10 students) and $100 (51+ students) will be charged to cover postage, handling and administration.