1. ECML and Lithuanian Educational Institutions: Experence of Cooperation
dr. Asta Ranonytė
Head of Examinations Department
National Examination Centre of Lithuania
8-9 November, 2016

2. System of assessment of foreign language proficiency in Lithuania
English, French, German, Russian
System of assessment of foreign language proficiency in Lithuania
Not compulsory, but the result of exam (B1) is necessary for entry to University
Matura exams of foreign languages. All tests of all four languages consist of two levels tasks (B1 and B2).
Exam consists of four parts.
Centralised conducting, marking and announcement of cut-off.
Not compulsory
After the 10th grade NEC provides the foreign language tests, their marking schemes for schools.
English test of B1 level. French, German, Russian tests of A2 level.
About 80 percentage of school students participate; conducting and marking on the school level.
Scores to achieve the language proficiency level are announced by NEC after the statistical analysis and benchmarking.

3. Strengths and challenges of Lithuanian foreign language assessment procedures
Recognition of the foreign language achievements as the valuable criteria to enter University
Measurement of foreign language proficiency with CEFR levels
Professional management of human resources, involved in the marking procedures of exam
Technology solutions to ensure the reliable results of exam
Different professionals from international institutions, universities, secondary schools are involved in exams proceeding.
Decision about the required achievements of foreign language proficiency was made according the statistical prognosis how many students would pass the exam Flexible interpretation of CEFR levels and relating of them to existing external Matura system Financial resources and administration regulations are the main criteria for making decisions ICT qualification is still low among the teachers. NEC, as institution responsible for the quality of exam, becomes dependent on short time specialists involved in the process of exam development

4. Cooperation with ECML 2015 (II)
National Examination Centre invited ECML experts to participate in the activities of screening of particular test and relating English language exam to CEFR
2015 (I)
ECML experts organised the workshop on the theme about the procedures of relating foreign language exams to requirements of CEFR
2013
ECML experts came to screen the 10th grade tests

5. How it worked
In 2013 we’ve got a great opportunity to reveal what is the high culture of screening of test tasks.
In 2015 (I) we’ve got a professional overview of relating procedures to CEFR and written recommendations, which should be implemented in Lithuanian foreign language exam proceeding. Experts overviewed the syllabus, precise exam tasks, statistical data. They guided the discussion of participants and involved them in practical work to understand the way CEFR works.
In 2015 (II) we had a strict timeline for project activities (for 3 intensive months). Work with the particular exam task material, statistical data, item writers, group of experts, who participated in benmarking and standartisation procedures. At the end – written (independent) raport with recommendations (the format and the content of the test, standartisation, benchmarking).

7. Impact of cooperation with ECML
In three past years Lithuania managed to implement some recommendations of ECML experts:
In 2015–2016 NEC became responsible for the 10th grade test organisation and prepared one level test for particular foreign language. Benchmarking procedures in 2016.
After the 2015 (I) workshop we had the obvious agenda, which aspects of our exam procedures must be changed (one level tasks in exam paper and reliable cut-off).
After the 2015 (II) activities we managed to run the 2016 English language exam of four parts without the ‘’tsunami effect’’.

8. Lithuanian National Examination Centre formally introduced foreign language exam of four parts in external examination system in We could officially state, that our foreign language exam (structure of exam, proportions and types of different tasks) and running of exam procedures satisfy the requirements of CEFR.

9. Next step
On the policy makers level we lack the understanding of the CEFR idea. That’s why it is necessary:
Get acquainted with the main purpose of exam alignment to the CEFR (general information to policy makers).
To discuss the arguments which prove that alignment procedures of exams with CEFR must be held every year with the particular exam task.
To share good practice examples in other countries (Baltic) that alignment procedures of exams with CEFR ensure the validity and reliability of test and its results and also make the impact on the whole educational process.