International civilian examinations TOEIC Test of English for

International civilian examinations • TOEIC Test of English for International Communication • TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language • BULATS Business Language Testing Service • Cambridge ESOL examinations (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

What are the assessed skills? • TOEIC Oral and written understanding Writing and speaking skills (recent tests but are optional) • TOEFL (paper-based test) Reading, listening and writing Skills • BULATS Reading and listening skills Writing and speaking skills • Cambridge ESOL examinations English vocabulary and grammar Reading and listening skills Writing and speaking skills

Civilian examinations National Examinations • Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in English from French universities • DCL Diplôme de Compétence en Langue “Diploma in Language Skills” French ministry of education

STANAG 6001 Level 1, 2 & 3 • Depending on your scores in the TOEIC, TOEFL or BULATS you can reach level 1, 2 or 3 mentioned in STANAG 6001 Other alternative: • If you pass one of the Cambridge ESOL examinations (PET, FCE, CAE or CPE) you can also reach level 1, 2 or 3 mentioned in STANAG 6001

Military Certificates of Languages • MCL 1 (functional) Level 2 STANAG 6001 • MCL 2 (professional) Level 3 STANAG 6001 MCL 1 and MCL 2 are given to our military personnel through civilian examinations. • MCL 3 (expert) Level 4 STANAG 6001 • Level 4 can only be reached and recognized by the French military with a Military Certificate of Languages in English 3

The French navy • The French navy opted for the TOEIC to assess its sailors in English.

Why? • Because there are several TOEIC sessions organized per month. • For the navy the TOEIC is the cheapest test compared to other English-language examinations. • The TOEIC is recognized around the world.

Military Certificates of Languages • TOEIC score between 605 and 850 Military Certificate of Languages 1 (functional) (MCL 1) Þ Level 2 STANAG 6001 • TOEIC score ≥ 851 Military Certificate of Languages 2 (professional) (MCL 2) Level 3 STANAG 6001

Passing rates in 2007 -2008 • 36, 24% French Navy personnel got a high enough score in the TOEIC to reach: ÞLevel 2 STANAG 6001 • 9, 45% French Navy personnel got a score ≥ 851 in the TOEIC to reach: Level 3 STANAG 6001

Passing rates in 2007 -2008 • 62, 04% naval officers got a high enough score in the TOEIC to reach: ÞLevel 2 STANAG 6001 • 31, 47% naval officers got a score ≥ 851 in the TOEIC to reach: Level 3 STANAG 6001

What about the French Army? Très bonne question !

Parlez-vous anglais? • An off-the-shelf system, • Relying on: – courses provided by a ‘private’ company – the outsourcing of examinations up to level 3 – a few military safeguards.

Parlez-vous anglais? • • • Overview Why we got there What it is today Limitations Safeguards

1996: Languages policy • • 1) English (a lot!) 2) German (less but on a regular basis!) 3) Russian and Arabic (some specialists!) 4) other languages (a few of each!)

English language policy • Emphasis is on everyday language • In accordance with STANAG 6001: 4 levels (SLP) • 1) Main effort on English for officers • 2) Open to some NCOs • 4) Optimize what is already known • 5) Need to improve cost/efficiency (25% did not take tests)

Implementation • Setting-up of distance learning courses (private sector) • Spreading of military language software • Introduction of mil. vocabulary mandatory modules in mil. schools: M 1 to M 4 (Jr NCO to Staff officers) • Priority given to everyday language • Motivation and coercion: (Cadet officers and senior officers)

2003: another step further • Outsourcing of examinations up to level 3 • E-learning (contracted company) • The target is level 3 for: • 100% officers • 11% NCOs • 3% privates

Today • E-learning (3 courses a year) 1000 pers. – 5 -month course – CD Rom – 7 meetings with a teacher • Passing rates: • SLP 2: 91% • SLP 3: 58%

Mon tailleur est riche • 1 test a year (69€) up to level 3 • Tests + university degrees conversions: • 2005: 600 level 1 & 1500 level 2 & 1200 level 3 • 2006: 200 level 1 & 1200 level 2 & 1500 level 3 • 2007: 300 level 1 & 1000 level 2 & 1500 level 3

Today • Level 3 compulsory for officers’ higher military studies • 4 English language modules (NCO, Branch, Staff schools) • Exams, results, taken into account by Personnel management office

System’s limits • Availability of learners during ecourses – 15% quit for ops reasons – Many others quit on numerous grounds!! • Motivation for homework • Exam is to be taken within 6 months after the end of course: 50% comply • A test of L, S, R, W on civilian topics

A few safeguards • • • Up to level 3 managed by ‘specialists’ Military language modules Military exam level 4 is demanding NATO assignment? SLP test in Strasburg!

Any questions?