The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the design of language tests: A matter of effect

2007/06/20 by Fred Davidson, Glenn Fulcher
Arts and Humanities · Computer Science · Social Sciences · #Discourse Analysis in Language Studies #Gender Studies in Language #Natural Language Processing Techniques

paper · doi:10.1017/s0261444807004351

openalex publication_date 2007/06/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

Language test development proceeds best when the test's effect is borne in mind, throughout the test development process. The authors discuss the flexible language of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and explore the pragmatic utility of such language to guide language test development. They select service encounters (e.g. airline ticket sales, open-air markets) as a sample language use domain to illustrate demonstrable weaknesses in the Framework. Using the CEFR Level A1 service encounter descriptor, suggested testing materials are shown in a versioned evolution of a proposed test specification. Provided that effect is kept in mind, the authors argue, the CEFR is actually a valuable – even an optimistic – starting point for language test development.

Citations

• THEORETICAL BASES OF COMMUNICATIVE APPROACHES TO SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING AND TESTING

Related

• The CEFR Companion Volume: Opportunities and Challenges for Language Assessment
• UniversalCEFR: Enabling Open Multilingual Research on Language Proficiency Assessment
• Practical Language Testing
• Experiments with Universal CEFR Classification
• From mythical ‘standard’ to standard reality: The need for alternatives to standardized English language tests