The Latvian language test for applicants of Latvian Citizenship (LLTALC)

Background

The first model of the Latvian language proficiency test for the applicants of Latvian citizenship (hereinafter applicants) was introduced in February 1995 when naturalization process in the Republic of Latvia began. The second model was developed in 1996. The third model of the Latvian language proficiency test has been developed in close co-operation with the Council of Europe experts from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) and the National Institute for Educational Measurement of the Netherlands. Having analyzed the third model UCLES experts suggested the necessary amendments. After the approbation period in July – September 1999 it was introduced in October 1999.

Objective

Assessment of the applicants’ Latvian language skills.

The applicants who are successful in LLTALC will be able to communicate satisfactorily in everyday situations in Latvian. This skill is one of the principal prerequisites for the ability to integrate into the society of Latvia.

Level of LLTALC

LLTALC is a free standing test based on

• Latviešu valodas prasmes līmenis ( The Threshold Level for Latvian, Council of Europe Publishing, 1997)
• Threshold Level 1990 (by J.A. van EK and J.L. TRIM , Council of Europe Press, 1991)

It is considered to correspond to ALTE Level Two.

LLTALC includes listening, reading, speaking and writing components. The four skills are equally weighted – 25 points for each of them (the maximum total is 100 points).

Staff

The LLTALC is developed by the staff (2 civil servants) of the Methodology Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre of the Naturalization Board.

The test is administered by 18 examiners of the Examination Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre and regional branches of the Naturalization Board, all of them have teaching backgrounds. The examinations take place 2 - 4 times a week.

Selection of materials

Item writers are commissioned to select and adapt material from a wide range of sources, which include newspapers and magazines, brochures, advertisements and radio items. They are given guidelines for selection of material, including the following: skills to be assessed, linguistic complexity, subject matter, cultural consideration, item types.

Test item writing

Item writers are the staff of the Methodology Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre of the Naturalization Board. They produce test materials throughout the year. Each item writer writes his/her own items. Then test items are discussed and approved. Items are also taken from item bank.

Pre-testing

Owing to the nature of the examinations no formal pre-testing of test items takes place at present, but feedback is obtained and the suitability of items is checked by the staff of the Examination Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre in Riga. Then test items are discussed and approved once more and sent to the regional branches.

Marking

Process

All tests are marked locally by specially trained examiners. For the oral component each applicant is interviewed individually by three examiners, one of them is interlocutor and two are assessors.

Training

Examiners are trained in seminars 2 - 3 times a year led by the staff of the Methodology Sector of the Methodology and Examination Centre. Individual work is also carried out with each examination commission in their regions.

Checking

The Deputy Head of the Methodology and Examination Centre checks applicants' written work on a selective basis and the applicants’ recorded speaking performance, as well as conformity of their assessment to the assessment criteria. In cases of deviation from the original mark, careful and detailed feedback is given to the examiners who originally marked the script.

Results

Results are given in the form of Pass or Fail. The applicants are informed about the results on the examination day.

Security

Every stage of the examination procedure, from test developing to its administration, is carefully controlled to ensure maximum security (audio recording of examinations, video observation and rotation of examination commissions).