Assessment of Language Competence (ALC)

Contact us

Australian Council for Educational Research

19 Prospect Hill Rd, Camberwell, VIC, Australia 3124

T: +61 3 9277 5555
F: +61 3 9277 5500
E: alc@acer.edu.au

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Which level should be chosen?

The ALC is designed in three levels based approximately on hours of language learning. However, the hours of language learning should be considered as only a guide. The questions in the tests are not based on which year level students are in, but rather their familiarity with the language, based on how long they've been learning it, the nature of the classroom program and on their opportunities to experience the language in use.

Sample materials are available on the ALC website to provide a guide to the average degree of difficulty for each certificate level.

Copies of past materials (CD and question booklet) are available as Teacher Reference Sets, via the sample material link on this website.

Schools retain the Question Booklets for use as a teaching resource. It is illegal to photocopy these booklets, as ACER owns full copyright. If additional copies are required, please contact ACER.

Can I copy past years' audio cassettes or CDs?

It is illegal to copy these as ACER owns full copyright. If additional copies are required, please contact ACER.

Why do you ask questions in target languages?

Certificates 2 and 3 have some questions in the target language. Research shows that questions in the target language can provide both additional challenge and/or additional support for students. As students become more competent users of the language, an ability to read questions in the target language is expected.

REGISTRATION

When is the latest I can register my students?

Please refer to the 'Registration' section of this website for this year's closing date. Registrations received after the closing date will incur a late fee.

I know my numbers, can I fax you my registration form and then send payment at a later date?

Owing to the sheer number of entries, all entries must be sent with payment. 

I want to change the number of students I have registered. How do I go about this?

Contact the ALC office at alc@acer.edu.au. Changes made after the closing date may incur a late fee.

I registered my students in April, when do I get my materials?

You should expect to receive the materials about a week before the testing date. This includes all answer sheets, question booklets and CD/s.  The Teachers' Handbook is available on this website under Documents.

I've lost the registration form - where can I get another one?

You can download the form online from this website.

Why does it cost so much per student? The other competitions are cheaper - how do I sell this to my students and our school community?

The ALC is a unique language testing program with a distinguished history of excellent service to schools for over 21 years. The tests are recognised internationally, and unlike some other testing programs, a new bank of items is produced for the ALC each year. These items are developed by expert and highly experienced test developers and writers. All materials are professionally published to the highest standards.

Tax receipts

The Registration Form is also a Tax Receipt.  Please keep a photocopy for your records.

Do I need to order a separate copy of the test for the teacher?

You will receive one teacher copy of each test per 30 students registered.

Does the CD automatically come with the booklets?

Yes, we distribute one CD per 30 registrations.

We have students with disabilities - what do you cater for?

ACER is able to accomodate students with disabilities.

Official requests should be made in writing. Please make these requests at least six weeks before close of registration. Late requests may not be met. 

Braille tests are generally best provided by the school which has a more thorough understanding of individual student needs. 

If you require a CD transcript to be read to a hearing impaired student, please provide this request at the time of ordering.

THE TESTS

What test materials will I receive?

For Certificate 1 you will receive one double sided A4 sheet for each student. Certificate 1 students do not need a test booklet. Both the questions and the answers are on the one form. 

Certificates 2 and 3 are combined in the same test booklet. You will receive a class set of booklets to use with both levels. For example, if you register 30 students for French Certificate 2 and 15 students for French Certificate 3, you will receive 30 French test booklets to be used with both groups. You will receive one answer sheet for each student. 

We have 10 papers left over. Can we return them and get a refund?

Unfortunately, we are unable to refund test materials that have been supplied but not sat for. We suggest that you retain them to use in your school as a teaching aid. They can be sat as a 'practice' test in the future.

We may not be able to get our answer sheets back to you by the due date.  What is the latest date we can return them?

All answer sheets must be returned by the date stipulated in the Teachers' Handbook. If you are unable to return the answer sheets by the due date, you will need to advise us beforehand so that arrangements can be made to ensure that your students' results are processed.

I have not ordered enough papers. Can I use photocopies?

We cannot accept photocopied answer sheets, as our scanners will not read them. Please contact us at alc@acer.edu.au urgently if you require extra answer sheets.

TAKING THE TEST

Can my students use a dictionary during the test?

Dictionaries may not be used.

Can I have a list of topics covered, so that I can teach these to my students?

We do not provide topic lists for the tests. These are confidential, so that all students, regardless of state or country, have equal access to the materials in the test.We refer you to the available sample sheets (on this website) for an idea of the range of difficulty levels for your students, and for examples of topics.

CERTIFICATES AND REPORTS

We have lost our students' results from a previous year. Can we please have another copy?

We are able to provide replacement certificates for some previous years at a cost of $30 per certificate.

Some of our certificates have errors. Can they be reprinted?

Experience shows that most certificate errors are caused by students who fill in their details on the answer sheet incorrectly. It is very important to check each answer sheet before returning them. Please note that reprints due to student error, will incur a $25 fee, payable upfront. Reprints as a results of ACER error will be issued at no cost to the school or student.

I have a student who I think sat the test but did not receive a certificate. Where is his/her certificate?

Because certificates are received some time after the tests are taken, it may be difficult for teachers to remember exactly who took part or who was absent on the day. We suggest teachers keep an accurate record of the students who sit the test.