(MUSIC)
I'm Cristina Pérez Guillot, president of ACLES
Spanish Association of Higher Education Language Centres.
I'll talk about CertAcles competence accreditation.
A description of CertAcles B1 exam.
Firstly, university integration in the European Higher Education Area
has increased the role of university language centres
as service providers for the community.
University language centres have contributed
to the development of language learning.
They've played a major part in the development
of language policies and language education
vital to meet the challenges of the Bologna process
and the needs of a multilingual Europe.
This new function of language centres entails the development
of more reliable systems to accredit language competences
homogenise systems of language assessment
and provide the basis of transferable European diplomas.
The Spanish Association of Higher Education Language Centres
launched a certification called CertAcles
based on the CFR levels
and compliant with the standards of European institutions.
CertAcles centres and exams follow rigorous auditing processes
to ensure the standards are met.
CertAcles exams are endorsed
by the National Committee of University Rectors, CRUE
and have gained national and international recognition.
We'll mention the principles governing CertAcles certification.
Validity and transparency, reliability, practicality
efficiency and sustainability, authenticity and respect to diversity
positive impact and respect of university autonomy.
The exam is broken down in four separate skills
listening, reading, speaking and writing.
Let's focus on the structure of CertAcles B1 exam.
The exam will last between 150 and 220 minutes.
All instructions will be given in the target language.
The speaking paper has three tasks
and lasts between seven and ten minutes.
The listening paper will consist of two to four tasks
associated to one and a half to four minute recordings.
The writing paper will imply the production of 200 to 350 words
in a minimum of two tasks.
It will last from 60 to 80 minutes.
Finally, the reading paper will have from two to four tasks
associated to 800 to 1,300 word texts
and will last from 50 to 60 minutes.
Concerning the marking scales, we can say that the final mark
equal to or exceeding 60% of the total marks
is required to certify the overall level was achieved
provided that at least 50% was attained in each skill.
Marks are awarded on a scale from zero to ten points
expressed to one decimal point.
So between 5.0 and 6.9
we have pass.
Between 7.0 and 8.9, we have merit.
And between 9.0 and 10, outstanding.
The CFR describes what a learner can do at each level.
As we see, B1 Threshold implies
that the candidate can describe experiences, events
dreams and expectations and give his or her opinion.
He can understand the main points of clear input on familiar matters
regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
He can deal with most situations likely to arise
in an area where the language is spoken.
And produce simple connected texts on familiar topics
or of personal interest.
He can describe experiences, events, dreams
hopes and ambitions
and give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
But we also have in the Common European Framework
a description of what a learner can do
in the different skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing.
In B1 Threshold, according to the CFR
it implies that I can understand the main points of clear speech
on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school
leisure, etc.
I can understand the main point of many radio and TV programmes
on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest
when the delivery is slow and clear.
Listening comprehension is assessed using the following task
multiple matching, filling the gaps and multiple choice.
B1 Threshold reading, according to the CFR
implies I can understand texts
that consist of high frequency everyday words
of job-related language.
I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes.
Reading comprehension is assessed using the following tasks
multiple matching, filling the gaps, multiple choice
and true-false justification.
B1 Threshold speaking, according to the CFR
implies that I can deal with new situations
while travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
I can enter unprepared into familiar conversational topics
of personal interest pertinent to everyday life.
For example, family, hobbies, work, travel and current events.
Speaking is assessed by using the following tasks
interview, long turn and interaction.
B1 Threshold writing, according to the CFR
implies that I can write simple connected texts
on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
I can write personal letters detailing experiences and impressions
and writing is assessed by using the following tasks
creative writing, description of personal experiences
and factual written interaction.
To finalise, let me highlight
that CertAcles exam is CFR aligned.
There are examining centres in 61 Spanish universities
which belong to a network of 290 European universities
and they offer CertAcles exams in many different foreign languages.
Thank you for your attention.
Subtitles: Tomás Costal.