EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE OF USING A LANGUAGE PASSPORT AS AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR FIXING THE LANGUAGE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN AND HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

The scientific article explores the concept of a language passport as one of the components of the language Portfolio in the European educational environment. The language Portfolio also contains information that testifies to the self-esteem of its owner, his/her independence, self-realization throughout life, thus implementing the fundamental principles of European language policy. The language Portfolio is a useful and valuable tool for presenting the level of skills of schoolchildren and higer education students in mastering foreign languages, as it monitors knowledge over time, which motivates schoolchildren and higer education students to improve the results of foreign language activities and stimulates their personal development. As an innovative tool, a language passport can represent the foreign language activities of schoolchildren and higer education students over a period of time and reflect not only the level of language skills but also their intercultural competences. It is established that the language passport needs constant updating to show the progress of its owner in learning languages and to certify the acquisition of new intercultural experience. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is recognized by all actors in the European educational environment. Descriptors for assessing language skills are recognized in all European countries and apply to various types of foreign language activities: monologue and dialogic speech, reading, writing and listening according to levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The study revealed that the language passport also contains diplomas and certificates certifying language knowledge and experience of language and intercultural learning. Europass Language Passport is a free set of online tools and information to help you manage all stages of your learning and career. It allows users to display, document their language skills as well as share skills and experience. It helps in finding a job or place of study, provides job seekers with opportunities that correspond to the level of their skills and experience.