Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members
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ADM HR-Mil
SMA RH-Mil
Bridging the Gap: Second Language Oral Proficiency Certification Testing of CF Members
LCol W. E. (Bill) Amirault 09 June 2009LCol W. E. (Bill) Amirault 09 June 2009
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2ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
Presentation Overview
• Context of CF language certification testing• Addressing Gap One• Addressing Gap Two• The way ahead
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3ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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4ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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5ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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6ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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7ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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8ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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9ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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10ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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11ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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)
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12ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
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
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13ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES
• Questions?