Assessment of Language Competence (ALC)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why are some test items the same as the previous year?

The ALC has reintroduced link items where a small number of test items are the same as the previous year. This mechanism allows for the comparison of data from year to year.

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 to where your students might fit in. The questions in the tests are not based on what year level students are in, but rather their familiarity with the language, based on how long they've been learning it, 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 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 and includes the GST component (for Australian Schools). Please keep a photocopy for your records.

What are the Voice CD Transcripts?

This is a transcript of what is said on all the listening CDs in every language and level and is offered as an additional ressource. These are available for purchase via the ALC website.

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 students.

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 one month 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. Is it okay to send them to you later and, if so, what is the latest that we can do that?

All answer sheets must be returned by the date stipulated in the Teachers' Handbook. If you have a serious problem and 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 have this problem.

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. We keep these 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.

Why is there such a long pause between listening texts?

Sometimes, a longer pause is inserted to give students time to read the question (or questions, if there are two), or to 'process' what they have heard. This pause ensures that all students, regardless of ability, have time to read and answer the question.

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. We also advise teachers to implement a system for marking off receipt of certificates against this list.