INTRODUCTION TO ALTE

ALTE – The Association of Language Testers in Europe – is an association of institutions within Europe, each of which produces examinations and certification for language learners. Each member provides examinations of the language which is spoken as a mother tongue in their own country or region.

The concept of ALTE was initially formed by the Universities of Cambridge and Salamanca late in 1989, and at the first meeting of the association in 1990 there were eight founder members. Since then membership has grown so that there are now 32 members, representing 27 European languages.

With the breaking down of international barriers between European states and increasing opportunities for the members of the workforce to move from one country to another, the need for transferability of qualifications is clear.

Employers and employees alike need to know what language qualifications gained in various countries mean – what the holder of a given certificate can actually be expected to be able to do – and how to make meaningful comparisons between qualifications gained in different states of the European Union. Employers need to know which particular language qualification it is realistic to demand when advertising a post, and employees have an interest in being able to rate their own present level of expertise and future training needs. Since 1990 the members of ALTE have been working together to devise a means of describing and comparing their examinations.

The principal objectives of ALTE are:

to address issues of quality and fairness related to the examinations which the members provide.
to establish common standards for all stages of the language-testing process and to adhere to those standards: that is, for test development, task and item writing, test administration, marking and grading, reporting of test results, test analysis and reporting of findings;
to promote the transnational recognition of certification in Europe by reference to the common levels of proficiency established by ALTE members and the Common European Framework of Reference.
to engage in activities for the improvement of language testing and assessment in Europe through collaboration on joint projects and in the exchange of ideas, know-how and sharing of best practice, especially through the medium of special interest groups.
to provide training in language testing and assessment
to raise awareness on issues related to language assessment

by holding two meetings of members per year, lasting for 3 days, the last day of which shall be an open conference day - a forum for discussion with a wider audience of language testing and assessment issues in Europe.

to provide leadership in the field of language assessment globally
- by holding an international conference on language testing and assessment every 3 years.
- by holding other open events in Europe to enable an exchange of ideas and sharing of best practice.