The language portfolio as an educational technology

Duisenova M., Akhmet A.

Checked by: Saule Nuraddinovna

of using them
What is the parents' role?
Using Language Portfolios with

young learners

PLAN

been working with Language Portfolios since the mid 1990s, and

between 1998 and 2000 various ELP models were piloted in Europe. There has been much literature written about them and there are lots of interesting examples. In the year 2001, which was also the European Year of Languages, The Council of Europe launched ELPs throughout Europe. Many adult and young learner course books now contain features of language portfolios such as passport activities and learner checklists while many classrooms have learner portfolios stored on their shelves.

learners, providing a fun way to review language and helping

them to reflect on their own objectives, ways of learning and success.
A portfolio is a purposeful collection of selective significant samples of student work accompanied by clear criteria for performance which evidence student effort, progress or achievement.

What are Language Portfolios?

criteria
o Clear objectives
o Selective and significant pieces
o Students’ self-reflection pieces
o

Evidence of student participation in
selection of content

A portfolio can exhibit the student' s, progress,
and achievement in several areas. The list below
illustrates some of the items which might be
housed in a student’s foreign language portfolio
to give a complete view of what the student knows
and is able to do.

It gives a history of the learners’ language learning experiences

which in this case refer to learning English. It may also contain any certificates or qualifications which show the learners’ level in an internationally transparent manner. For our young learners this may mean a certificate they received from a summer camp they attended or a qualification they got from taking an English exam at school or in any other English language center. It may also include a ticket to a theatre production in English, a film they saw or a trip abroad to an English-speaking country.
2. The Language Biography
This is a personal history of the learners’ language learning experience. For example it may include a short narrative about the summer camp which they went on and for which they have included the certificate in their passport section. It also includes self-assessment materials, such as the learner checklists and any aims that learners have for the future. These aims might be passing a specific exam, attending a course and feeling well prepared for it or being able to speak English to a visitor.
3. The Dossier
This is a collection of course work which shows learners’ level of English. It may include corrected class or homework, tests and exams or any other piece of work which illustrates where the learner is at. In this part of an LP, a learner may include voice or video recordings or any part of project work which they have done.

Language Portfolios are made up of three parts:

entries that will best match instructional outcomes
⇒ Decide how much

to include, how to organize the portfolio, where to keep it and when to access Assessment, articulation and accountability
⇒ Decide who selects the entries (the student, the teacher, both)
⇒ Set the criteria for judging the work (rating scales, rubrics, checklists) and make sure students understand the criteria.
⇒ Review the student’s progress
Hold portfolio conferences with students to discuss their progress

Guidelines for Using Portfolios

largely responsible for the success of the portfolio. For this

reason, students must be actively involved in the choice of entries and in the rationale for selecting those entries.
o Selecting
The students’ first role is in selecting some of the items to be part of the portfolio. Some teachers give students a checklist for making choices. Others leave students utmost freedom in selecting their
entries. At any rate students should include their best and favorite pieces of work along with those showing growth and process.
o Reflecting and self-assessing
An essential component of self assessment involves the students in reflecting about their own work. At the beginning, students might not know what to say so teachers will need to model the kind of reflection expected from students.

What is the student's role?

procedures, and benefits of portfolios and about the progress students

are making. Some teachers send a letter home to parents to explain the new assessment and to outline students and parents’ responsibilities. Some of the outlined responsibilities may include participating in student-led portfolio conferences, giving feedback to their child, and providing support for their child’s effort and interest.

What is the parents' role?

exclusively by the teacher.
students do not evaluate their work
students do

not have an opportunity to justify their contents
they are used infrequently.

When Portfolios do not work when:

of students` achievement and comprehensive views of students` performances in

contexts, and encourage students to develop independent and self-directed learners, and enhances communication among teacher, student and parents.

Conclusion