Enhanced Language Training Placement Assessment ( ELTPA )
The Enhanced Language Training Placement Assessment (Benchmark 6-10), or ELTPA (6-10), is a low-stakes assessment tool for placing adult newcomers, mostly internationally trained professionals and trades people, in Enhanced Language Training programs. As the ELT programs deliver work-oriented language training, the Assessment focuses on evaluating language skills representative of those required in work or work-readiness settings. The ELTPA (6-10) is referenced to the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 and is a task-based instrument addressing a range of genres and themes. The assessment distinguishes communicative competence in four skill areas (speaking, listening, reading & writing) across a range of abilities from Benchmark 6 and below (6-) to 10 and above (10+). As no distinctions are drawn in proficiency levels at Benchmark 6 or lower, it is recommended that the ELTPA be used for assessment of those candidates whose language skills have been evaluated through prior CLBA or CLBPT testing to be at Benchmark 6 or higher.
The ELTPA is intended only for use with internationally trained individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for assessment and referral to government funded ELT-type programs.
In order to obtain ELTPA training, assessors must have been previously trained and certified to administer any of the CLBA, CLBPT, or CELBAN tools. The ELTPA must only be administered by assessors who have been certified through this project.
Test Development and Validation
The project of the ELTPA (6-10) development and validation was funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, with in-kind contribution from the Centre for Education & Training. The project was completed over the course of eight months.
The development team worked in consultation with the CLBA and CLBPT developer, Gail Stewart, and included a test developer, project management consultants, a team of task writers and a panel of reviewers. Extensive expertise in the area of CLB 2000 competency standards, test development, assessment practice and workforce-oriented language training as well as consideration for stakeholder issues, including the needs and concerns of target programs and potential test takers, informed the design of the test material. As a result, the length, format, and design of the ELTPA (6-10) are consistent with a Benchmarks approach to assessment and appropriate for the intended test purpose in a context where learners need to be placed as quickly and efficiently as possible. The test design and development reflect a balance among requirements for reliability, validity, ease of administration, and efficiency of scoring.
On completion of the development phase, the assessment instrument was piloted at 10 language-training sites over a period of 9 weeks. Over 350 students representing various countries of origin and diverse work experiences participated in the study.
The pilot study results were analyzed by Dr. Kristian Kirkwood, an educational measurement specialist affiliated with Brock and Nipissing Universities in Ontario. The analysis findings indicate that the ELTPA (6-10) is a valid and efficient assessment tool that can be used with confidence for its intended purpose.
Benefits offered by ELTPA (6-10)
- ELTPA (6-10) was developed by the Centre for Education and Training, the developer of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment.
- ELTPA (6-10) is an efficient and reliable instrument for placement of clients in ELT programs.
- ELTPA (6-10) provides candidates with a better understanding of their workforce-oriented language skills across intermediate and advanced CLB proficiency levels.
- ELTPA (6-10) provides instructors and service providers with accurate information on the clients’ proficiency levels and thus facilitates the process of workforce-oriented language training program planning and development.
Recommended Qualifications for ELTPA (6-10) Assessors
In order to maintain the assessment administration and scoring standards, the ELTPA assessors are recommended to have the following qualifications:
- CCLB-mandated qualifications for CLB assessor training candidates
- experience in administration of CCLB-endorsed assessment tools
- native English speaker or near-native speaker proficiency
- experience with teaching/assessment of higher-level proficiency
- successful completion of ELTPA (6-10)
| Recommended ELTPA Assessor Qualifications | Suggested Ways of Demonstrating Acquiring Qualifications |
|---|---|
| CCLB-mandated qualifications for CLB assessor training candidates | meeting Criteria for Candidates for CLB Assessor Training (refer to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) website: www.language.ca) |
| experience in administration of CCLB-endorsed assessment tools | recent or current part-time or full-time CLB assessor (CLBA or CLBPT or CELBAN) |
| native English speaker or near-native speaker proficiency |
demonstrating proficiency in spoken and written English at a levelcommensurate with the role model of English language proficiency AND
enabling confident and effective facilitation and scoring of the candidate’s language production representing a proficiency range inclusive of Benchmark 10 or higher |
| experience with teaching/assessment of higher-level proficiency | teaching higher-level language courses, e.g. LINC Level 5, TOEFL, academic preparation, bridging programs for professionals OR
performing 25% of the total annual assessments at CLB(A) Stage II |
| successful completion of ELTPA (6-10) and/or ELTPA (9-10) training |
completion of a pre-training and post-training (where required) package AND
ability to conduct and score the ELTPA (6-10) instruments in accordance with the protocol |
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