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Language Learning in Higher Education

Journal of the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education (CercleS)

Editor-in-Chief: Szczuka-Dorna, Liliana / O’Rourke, Breffni

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Implementing CEFR principles in introductory Norwegian language courses for international students: Opportunities and challenges

Ewa Wapinska
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  • Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies, Norwegian for International Students, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo, Norway
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Published Online: 2016-10-06 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cercles-2016-0016

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Abstract

This article describes some of the opportunities and challenges presented by beginners’ courses in Norwegian for international students offered by the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Oslo. Teaching approaches and course content are examined in relation to CEFR levels A1, A2 and B1 and the CEFR’s main objectives. The aim is to invite the reader to share in dynamic and communicative task- and learner-oriented practices, with a particular focus on the benefits of extensive use of the target language – in this case Norwegian. Various target language strategies and activities can be used to adjust and develop concrete context-relevant descriptors in today’s multicultural and multilingual academic environment. Finally, the article shows how to help students and teachers to benefit from good practice and how to apply systematic and sustainable assessment strategies during the initial stages of learning a new language in the host country.

Keywords: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); teaching and assessment; academic context; positive learning experience; target language; motivation

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About the article

Ewa Wapinska

Ewa Wapinska is a university lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Oslo and has been teaching Norwegian for International Students since 2003. Her professional experience includes ten years of teaching at the International Summer School (ISS), University of Oslo, teaching Norwegian abroad, and working in adult education. In 2004 she launched a pilot project, Norwegian for Construction Workers – hybrid courses, introducing the CEFR and the ELP to vocational courses in Norwegian for Polish construction workers.

Published Online: 2016-10-06

Published in Print: 2016-10-01

Citation Information: Language Learning in Higher Education, Volume 6, Issue 2, Pages 317–333, ISSN (Online) 2191-6128, ISSN (Print) 2191-611X, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/cercles-2016-0016.

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