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Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages:
Learning,
Teaching, Assessment
Developed
through a process of scientific research and wide consultation,
this document provides a practical tool for setting clear
standards to be attained at successive stages of learning and for
evaluating outcomes in an internationally comparable manner. The
Framework provides a basis for the mutual recognition of language
qualifications, thus facilitating educational and occupational
mobility. It is increasingly used in the reform of national
curricula and by international consortia for the comparison of
language certificates. A recent European Union Council Resolution
(November 2001) recommended the use of this Council of Europe
instrument in setting up systems of validation of language
competences.
The
Framework is a document which describes in a comprehensive manner:
-
the competences necessary for communication
- the related knowledge and skills
- the situations and domains of communication
The
Framework is of particular interest to course designers, textbook
writers, testers, teachers and teacher trainers - in fact to all
who are directly involved in language teaching and testing.
It
facilitates a clear definition of teaching and learning objectives
and methods and provides the necessary tools for assessment of
proficiency.
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here for more info.
Our
method
The
methodology put into practice at Gran Canaria School of Languages
gives special emphasis to the development of language skills, oral
as well as written, while also teaching the grammar basics of the
language. So it is a combination of the direct and
traditional methods. The
final goal is for our students to be able to communicate fluently
and correctly in Spanish. Use of the language being studied
and learned is an essential classroom requirement.
To
achieve this goal and in view of the context of language immersion
surrounding the student, the teacher must motivate his learning,
emphasizing the functionality of the content acquired: What can
what I am learning be used for? This way a direct bridge will
be created between the learner’s environment in the classroom
and the reality he will have contact with during his stay on the
island.
The
grammar backup characteristic of the more traditional method is
also present in our courses.
To this purpose there will be available activities and
exercises of controlled practice that potentiate and develop the
students’ linguistic competence.
The
Curriculum: our teaching program.
The
Curriculum runs along the general lines of action in all what is related with the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language.
It is a pedagogical instrument giving coherency to the centre’s
teaching plan. It also answers the need for a scope of
action guaranteeing coherency between the different areas of
educational planning: the ends and objectives, both general and
specific, the contents and the methodology.
At
the Gran Canarai School of Languages each course has a specific
program. Always kept in mind are the four communication skills:
reading, listening, writing and speaking (oral and
written expression, oral and written comprehension), putting
special emphasis on the student’s ability to communicate with
others in certain situations of daily life in a Spanish-speaking
country. The classes are participative, including the use of
CDs, videos, etc. to improve the comprehension of Spanish.
In addition to learning the language, we try to bring the Spanish
culture closer to the student by means of authentic material.
The
student's progress is tested by a continuous evaluation system
with the object of improving the level reached by our students.
The head of studies will be at the student´s disposal to consult
over any problems or doubts he/she may have with his/her studies.
At the end of the student's stay the teacher will write a
report of the student's progress for the head of studies and grade
his/her performance. A certificate of attendance or Diploma
reflecting his/her language skills will be given to the student at
the end of his course.
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