Journal of English Language Teaching

Application of CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) in Testing the English Language Proficiency Level of Polytechnic Students

Laxmi M. Birajdar

Lecturer in English, A.G. Patil Polytechnic Institute, Solapur (India)

Keywords: Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL), Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), Assessing English Communication Skills

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Abstract

In these gadget-driven days, our hunger for electronic devices and technology in every field of human life is growing fast. Several technological devices have been developed and updated in the last few decades. Among them the mobile phone has brought satisfaction in human life. Especially among students it is a very popular tool; they cannot imagine their life without this device. Though parents and teachers are against students carrying mobiles into the classrooms as they distract students from their learning, students are still carried away by its applications. Mobile phones have revolutionized the world with their impressive database over the globe. There are, however, a few possibilities of turning this craze for using mobile phones for learning language and testing their communication skills. This study is an attempt to assess English language skills of students and to motivate the learners to improve their language through mobile applications for language learning. This paper discusses the benefits of using mobile phones for learning purposes, particularly for improving technical students’ English language skills through the British Council English Score, which is an online tool for testing English proficiency level in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a globally recognized language proficiency standard. I conducted the English proficiency test with the final year polytechnic students using the British Council app. The paper concludes with the findings of the test and some recommendations.Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL); 

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