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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

13ADM HR-Mil / SMA RH-Mil

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS / PROGRAMMES DE LANGUES

• Questions?