Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to explore students’ perceptions of the electronic version of the European Language Portfolio (e-ELP). The participants of this study were students of Bachelor´s and Master´s Degree Programs in Education at two private universities in Spain. Both groups used the digital platform of the European Language Portfolio developed by SEPIE (Servicio Español para la Internacionalización de la Educación). For the purposes of this study, the authors used an online, quantitative survey, administered through Google Forms, in which the answers were evaluated using a five-point Likert scale with the range of responses from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). There were also open questions regarding the e-ELP which allowed students to add their own comments.

The e-ELP is an electronic document that serves as a tool for foreign language learners to present information related to their language skills. It records the experiences and skills acquired in the foreign language, whether gained in the formal educational environment or through extracurricular activities. It is promoted by the Council of Europe and is linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It follows the scale of six common levels of reference for the organization of language learning and its public recognition. It consists of three parts: the passport, the biography, and the dossier. It is an excellent tool to assist in the teaching and learning of foreign languages as well as to provide a means to accurately evaluate language ability in a more dynamic and multidimensional way than simple test results. The adoption of the European Language Portfolio in different countries in Europe, North America, and in the Middle East demonstrates a great interest and recognition for this tool on an international scale. The results of this study indicate that students value the e-ELP positively, however, they often complain about the design of the platform, closed-ended questions, and the time required to complete the self-evaluation charts and questionnaires.

Keywords:

European Language Portfolio, e-ELP, e-PEL +14, educational technologies, assessment, language acquisition, language skills.