Taking into account my personal teaching
context, what would be the advantages and disadvantages of using the ELP with
my groups?
Firstly, I would like to explain what the
ELP is. According to Sinem Yilmaz and Sumru Akcan, the European Language
Portfolio is a material used for teaching English as a foreign language with
the aim of children improve their involvement in the language learning process.
It has got three components: a language passport, a language biography and a
dossier which includes documentation of personal experiences of language
learning and experiences with other cultures.
I think that implement the ELP in the personal
teaching process is benefit for children because it develop a capacity for
self-assessment and reflection and children take control of their own learning.
In fact, there are studies that investigate it and show the way to implement it.
Among the advantages or benefits in using the ELP
emphasize the following. The ELP brings the opportunity to know the real
capacity. Also, it involves the students in planning strategies that will help them
to achieve the objectives. Using the ELP provides to children develop
reflection and self assessment about the own learning process, and the autonomy
it supposes. Moreover, it is a motivational tool for children because of the
active participation in learning.
On the other hand, the ELP also has some disadvantages
or constraints such as the lack of personal resources for implementation, at
least in the first educational courses; the teacher training in knowledge of
the ELP; or the time it supposes to work with the children.To conclude, it is interesting to introduce kindergarten children or the first levels of primary education in the use and management of the ELP in order to be an effective tool to develop language learning, self assessment and learner autonomy.
