German Language ePortfolio
About the German Language Study Portfolio
The German language study program
is unique in adapting the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages, Profile, and the European Language Portfolio to reflect the
needs and qualities of Cornell students. Accordingly, the curriculum
integrates research in second language acquisition and cognitive
learning theories into a well-articulated sequence of language study
and a learner-owned portfolio that fosters self-assessment of language
competences, documentation of achieved objectives, and communication of
language background, goals, and proficiency levels to future schools
and employers. The program enables the students to attain high levels
of language competence and equips them for becoming successful
participants in the transnational community. The department of German
Studies formally recognizes substantial language study with the
Certificate in German Language Study and offers two majors. Students
may also apply for internships.The Cornell University German Studies Language Portfolio is based on a well-articulated curriculum and reflects the unique circumstances and conditions under which students at Cornell University engage in their foreign language studies.
A language portfolio consists of a language passport, a language biography, and a dossier.
The passport includes documentation of key credentials and experiences (test results, programs completed in not only German but also other languages); the biography includes a history and reports of the learner's language and intercultural experiences, her or his language learning goals, and self-assment checklists. The language biography, especially, can be considered one of our main assessment practices. The dossier includes the texts the student will write over the course of a semester (titled portfolio texts in the syllabus and weekly plans), specific course work required by the instructor, and artifacts of the student's choice. All materials collected will be understood as evidence of the competences the learner has achieved. An introductory page will preface the dossier explaining the context and the personal meaning of the materials.
The German Studies Language Portfolio includes a biography and a dossier and will be examined by instructors at various points in the language course sequence.