CEFR, ELP and Key Skills
In this section, you will find documents detailing the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERF), the European Language Portfolio and Key Skills.
You can visit the Council of Europe Language Policy Portal with links to their dedicated thematic websites, including the European Language Portfolio, and view their main Framework document and Companion Volume.
Further information and policy documents are available in our Policy: Europe section.
Below we have gathered some resources and highlighted several of the CEFR and ELP links.
The CEFR and the MFL classroom
This brief overview of the CEFR from a MFL teacher’s perspective was presented at the PDST MFL Alive seminar (Maynooth, Nov 7th, 2015).
Council of Europe Tools for Language Teaching: CEFR and ELPs
This publication is a great practical tool to develop language courses based on the CEFR and European Language Portfolio.
Language Self-Assessment Grid
The language self-assessment grid is one of the key tools provided by the Council of Europe in the CEFR. It is a combination of the ‘Can do’ descriptors, the five language skills and six competence levels.
CEFR Links and resources for MFL teachers
These links and resources have been selected as more teacher friendly. They also include language-specific links for teachers of Spanish, German, French and Italian.
CEFR Links for language testers and examiners
This document contains important links to different ECML documents that help teachers negotiate the curriculum change and how it aligns with European policy.
CEFR Mind Map
This mind map of the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning, teaching, and assessment (CEFR) summarises the CEFR key principles, practical tools, key dates and outcomes.
ELP Mind Map
The European Language Portfolio (ELP) mind map summarises the ELP underlying principles, key components, functions for learners and teachers.
CEFR, ELP and Key Skills Mind Map
This mind map illustrates how the Key Skills which underline the Junior Cycle curriculum match the key principles of the CEFT and ELP, while plurilingualism and intercultural competence can be considered as further enrichment.
A1 Topic- based Can Do Checklists – More topics
The A1 topic-based checklists of ‘Can do’ descriptors can serve as planning tools for teachers or goal setting and self-assessment tools for learners. Topics included in this section: Numbers and the Calendar, Food and Shops, Colours, Weather and Holidays.
