Perspectives from the European Language Portfolio: Learner autonomy and self-assessment

Using constructivist principles and autonomous learning techniques the ELP has pioneered innovative and cutting edge approaches to learning languages that can be applied to learning across the spectrum. Although articles on the success of the ELP project have appeared in some academic journals, Perspectives from the European Language Portfolio is the first book to report on and contextualise the project’s innovative techniques for a wider educational research audience.

During the last ten years the ELP has increasingly become a reference tool for language learning and teaching in primary, secondary and tertiary educational settings all around Europe. The editors of this volume believe that there is a need to reflect on the significant contribution that the ELP has delivered for language learning and teaching, and to critically evaluate its achievements.

This volume offers a range of investigations from theoretical studies to practical cases around these issues, and includes:

• relevant contributions of the ELP to language pedagogy;
• assessing the impact of the ELP on pedagogical research and practice;
• exploring and defining pathways for future developments;
• Reflective learning.

This book is intended for a readership of language teachers and researchers across Europe. It will be of particular relevance to those engaged in language learning and teaching within the Common European Framework of Reference, supporting independent learning and developing a language curriculum, whether in school, adult, further or higher education.

Bärbel Kühn is Managing Director of the Language Centre of the four public universities of the federal state of Bremen where she has implemented the use of the Bremen electronic ELP 'EPOS'. She is also chair of the Bremen Language Council.

María Luisa Pérez Cavana

is currently involved in the development of an electronic European Language Portfolio for the Open University, UK, where she works as Lecturer in German and Spanish.