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Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members

Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members. LCol W. E. (Bill) Amirault 09 June 2009. Presentation Overview. Context of CF language certification testing Addressing Gap One Addressing Gap Two The way ahead. Official Languages Act (OLA).

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Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members

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  1. Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members LCol W. E. (Bill) Amirault 09 June 2009

  2. Presentation Overview • Context of CF language certification testing • Addressing Gap One • Addressing Gap Two • The way ahead

  3. Official Languages Act (OLA) • Higher in legal hierarchy than National Defence Act • Directs leadership of CF in both official languages • Every CF member has a right to training and development in his/her official language of choice

  4. CF Language Certification Testing • Pre 1995: Certification testing of CF members conducted by CF testers using tests based on STANAG • Post 1995: Certification testing of CF members conducted by Public Service Commission (PSC) assessors using PSC developed tests

  5. Initial issue with PSC Certification Testing • PSC certification tests designed for assessing second language proficiency of public civil servants • Confirm that CF members are not disadvantaged by evaluation instruments and an evaluation process that does not acknowledge the unique culture and working conditions of the CF

  6. Initial Oral Interaction Test 1995 - 2007 • An interview format delivered by telephone or face to face • Defined test boundaries with internal flexibility • PSC assessor able to use discretion within test boundaries regarding topics and themes

  7. PSC – CF Service Level Agreement (SLA) • PSC assigns oral interaction test assessors to CF file • CF provides PSC assigned assessors with annual CF orientation training • End of complaints from CF members regarding oral interaction certification testing • Gap one is bridged

  8. New Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP) • New test of oral proficiency (TOP) planned for 2008 • New TOP based on modified CEFR • New TOP based on Pubic Service focussed needs analysis • Pilot studies and test trials conducted and final versions created • No CF involvement until near the end of process

  9. Overview of PSC TOP • Part one: Warm up – two to six minutes • Part two: Pre-recorded short messages – 7 minutes • Part three: Produce a brief talk – 10 -12 minutes • Part four: Longer Pre-recorded exchange – 11 -13 minutes

  10. Proposed Solution • Seek chain-of-command support of CF version of TOP • Approach PSC to develop CF version of TOP • Define and overcome PSC concerns • Enlist support of PSC assigned assessors

  11. Amended PSC – CF Service Level Agreement • Establish a partnership to produce CF content TOP • PSC to lead project with CF to provide subject matter experts for content and culture • CF certification testing to be suspended for three months to focus resources on project (assessors) • Existing test items to be modified and used if possible • New items to be created as required • French and English tests to be ready by Dec 2008 • Funds transfer from CF to PSC (275K)

  12. The Way Ahead • Establish other projects with PSC to create CF versions of reading and writing certification tests • Potentially widen reading and writing test initiative to include other para-military agencies such as the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

  13. Questions?

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