October 2000	DGIV/EDU/LANG (2000) 33

EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO (ELP)

PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES

Language Policy Division
Strasbourg
PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES

In the interest of 

-	the quality and credibility of the European Language Portfolio as a pedagogic and reporting tool and of 
-	the quality, validity and transparency of individual ELPs in a European context

authorities, decision makers, ELP developers, teachers and learners will use their best endeavours to follow these Principles and Guidelines when creating, using and promoting the European Language Portfolio.

1.		The ELP reflects the Council of Europe’s concern with:

1.1.	the deepening of mutual understanding among citizens in Europe;
1.2.	respect for diversity of cultures and ways of life;
1.3.	the protection and promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity;
1.4.	the development of plurilingualism as a life-long process;
1.5.	the development of the language learner; 
1.6.	the development of the capacity for independent language learning;
1.7.	transparency and coherence in language learning programmes;
1.8.	the clear description of language competence and qualifications in order to facilitate mobility.

2.		The ELP:

2.1.	is a tool to promote plurilingualism and pluriculturalism;
2.2.	is the property of the learner;
2.3.	values the full range of the learner’s language and intercultural competence and experience regardless of whether acquired within or outside formal education;
2.4.	is a tool to promote learner autonomy;
2.5.	has both a pedagogic function to guide and support the learner in the process of language learning and a reporting function to record proficiency in languages;
2.6.	is based on the Common European Framework of Reference with explicit reference to the common levels of competence;
2.7.	encourages learner self-assessment (which is usually combined with teacher 	assessment) and assessment by educational authorities and examination bodies;
2.8.	it incorporates a minimum of common features (outlined below) which make it recognisable and comprehensible across Europe;
2.9	may be one of a series of ELP models that the individual learner will possess in the course of life-long learning. ELP models can cater for the needs of learners according to age, learning purpose and context and background.

3.	The authorities which undertake to produce an ELP for one or more target groups of learners should:

3.1.	develop ELPs in conformity with the aims and principles described in this document and in the Common European Framework of  Reference;
3.2.	respect the basic division of the ELP into three parts so that the learners have the possibility to use each of these according to their particular needs in their different learning contexts;

	•	the Language Passport section provides an overview of the individual’s proficiency in different languages at a given point in time; the overview is defined in terms of skills and the common reference levels in the Common European Framework; it records formal qualifications and describes language competencies and significant language and intercultural learning experiences; it includes information on partial and specific competence; it allows for self-assessment, teacher assessment and assessment by educational institutions and examinations boards; it requires that information entered in the Passport states on what basis, when and by whom the assessment was carried out.  To facilitate pan-European recognition and mobility a standard presentation of a Language Passport is promoted by the Council of Europe for ELPs for adults.

	•	The Language Biography facilitates the learner’s involvement in planning, reflecting upon and assessing his or her learning process and progress; it encourages the learner to state what he/she can do in each language and to include information on linguistic and cultural experiences gained in and outside formal educational contexts; it is organised to promote plurilingualism i.e. the development of competencies in a number of languages.

	•	The Dossier offers the learner the opportunity to select materials to document and illustrate achievements or experiences recorded in the Language Biography or Language Passport.

3.3.	adhere to terminological conventions, standard headings and rubrics as specified by the Council of Europe in at least one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French) in addition to any other languages;
3.4.	make the ELP and related documents available in the national language(s) and as far as relevant and practically feasible in the target languages and in the languages of the learners;
3.5.	take into account the diversity of learners’ needs according to age, learning purposes and contexts, and background, e.g. to develop where appropriate distinctive ELP models for different age groups whilst taking measures to ensure mutual recognition of all models and continuity between different educational institutions, sectors, regions and countries;
3.6.	respect the European character of the ELP so as to promote mutual recognition of Portfolios within and across national boundaries, including the reporting of competencies in an internationally transparent manner by relating them to the categories and levels of proficiency described in the Common European Framework;

3.7.	submit the ELP for approval before its publication and implementation to the Council of Europe or other bodies nominated by the Council of Europe for this purpose; 
3.8.	monitor and evaluate the use of the ELP and report the results to the appropriate co-ordinating body;
3.9.	seek to improve the ELP in the light of experience.

4.		The authorities and education institutions using an ELP should:

4.1.	create the conditions in which the ELP can be used effectively with regard to the agreed aims and principles, and taking into account the demands of curricula and teaching/learning contexts;
4.2.	make it possible for learners who so wish to obtain and use an ELP;
4.3.	recognise the learner as the owner of the ELP;
4.4.	ensure that the aims and the purposes of the ELP are understood by the learners and that they can understand the content;
4.5.	promote the concept of European citizenship by providing a record of all language competencies and experiences, including, where appropriate, indigenous languages of minorities and languages of migrants;
4.6.	ensure that learners are strongly encouraged to develop competencies in several languages which may include partial and specific competencies (e.g. receptive skills, competence in specified tasks) even at modest levels of proficiency;
4.7.	assist teachers in the use of the ELP through appropriate training and support;
4.8.	help learners to use the ELP usefully and effectively;
4.9.	help learners to develop autonomy, a critical awareness of their learning and to assess their language and intercultural competence;
4.10.	acknowledge all language and intercultural competence equally, regardless of whether it is acquired within or outside of formal education;
4.11.	recognise, support and value other ELPs which individual learners may possess and wish to present or maintain;
4.12.	publicise the ELP and disseminate examples of good practice.