Aligning Language Frameworks: An Example with the CLB and CEFR

ABSTRACT This paper presents a methodology for directly aligning ‘can do’ frameworks to each other. The methodology, inspired by the manual for relating examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR) (Council of Europe, 2009) and Kane’s (2004, 2013) interpretative argument, takes account of both the horizontal dimension (content analysis) and the vertical dimension (benchmarking with Multifaceted Rasch Modelling – MFRM). The paper exemplifies the application of the methodology by introducing the research conducted to align the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)/ Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) to the CEFR, presenting the resulting alignment, and discussing the rationale for the choices made.