Advantages and disadvantages of using the ELP with my groups

The ELP is a tool which let us evaluate the levels of the language. The ELP is designed for promoting autonomy, reflection, multilingualism and mobility in order to enhance learning throughout life. Also, provides a way of teaching and assessing all languages in Europe. It has three obligatory elements: a language passport, a language biography and a dossier.

From a pedagogical point of view, the ELP is a tool that can be used correctly or badly.

On the one hand, I think the advantages are important. Sometimes, students are unmotivated, because they think that their progress in learning languages is locked. They finish the course and have the feeling that they have learned nothing.

So, the self assessment through the use of ELP during the course after the lessons (and also  at the end of the term) let them incentive their learning in order to achieve linguistic goals. If students can realize that are improving, they will be  more motivated.

Other important advantage is that the self assessment in an integrated way develops learners autonomy. They are more confident, their attitude is positive and more mature, and this is a benefit for the whole of the class.

On the other hand , a disadvantage that I can find is that sometimes they do not understand completely the utility of the ELP, and this produce them boredom.

In conclusion, I think that teachers have to encourage them to use the ELP and present it as an effective tool for their learning for the present and the future.