Littérature scientifique sur le sujet « Portfolio Europeo Lingue »

Language skills are increasingly important as globalisation accelerates, necessitating an enhanced ability to communicate. Equally important is a deep understanding of cultures that can facilitate cross-cultural exchanges. At Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), Japan, great importance is placed on the learning of languages and cultures, as well as acquiring the English language as a 'lingua franca', or bridge language. Professor Yukio Tono, who is director of Lingua, the World Language Center at TUFS, leads a project called CEFR-Jx28 that is seeking to align teaching materials, instruction and assessment to the CEFR-J for Japanese university students for English and 27 other foreign languages. As CEFR was developed in Europe, it is necessary to adjust the rubrics for second language learners whose first language is Japanese. A project, led by Professor Asako Yoshitomi, the director of the English Learning Center, is also underway to develop English speaking tasks based on CEFR-J that can be used for instruction and assessment. Professor Masashi Negishi and the research team are developing a speaking test called BCT-S (British Council TUFS-Speaking Test for Japanese Universities) that is used for selective assessment for university admission. The BCT-S is a localised version of the CEFR-based Aptis into a speaking test based on the CEFR-J. The progress of students at TUFS is recorded in an e-portfolio called 'TUFS Record' and a summary of the TUFS Record is issued as a diploma supplement.

This article presents a research study on the European Language Portfolio (ELP) that involved students attending a course in Didactics of Modern Languages at the University of Florence. The main objective of the course was to provide students with practical experiences on ELP with a view to merging ICT with language learning. The research method was based on both qualitative and quantitive aspects assessed through a survey collecting the participants’ views of aims, principles, and pedagogic function. This was intended to guide and support learners in the language learning process, also reporting the functions of ELP to record proficiency in languages.

Il progetto di ricerca si colloca all’interno di un quadro teorico e applicativo glottodidattico e di politica linguistica europea ed è finalizzato allo studio di un modello di Portfolio europeo delle lingue in Rete, per giovani e adulti, che possa rilanciare l’utilizzo e il riconoscimento dell’impatto effettivo del dispositivo. Dopo un inquadramento teorico su che cosa vuol dire entrare, con un approccio andragogico, nel processo di apprendimento che dura tutta la vita, sia esso di tipo formale, non formale o informale, si ripercorrono le tappe che hanno portato alla creazione di Europass. Dopo avere esaminato la storia, la struttura e lo stato dell’arte del Portfolio europeo delle lingue si passa alla descrizione della parte più operativa e applicativa della ricerca ovvero quella relativa alla progettazione e creazione del modello di Portfolio europeo delle lingue in Rete. The research project is part of both a theoretical and applied framework concerned with foreign language teaching and European language policies. The study aims at proposing an alternative model of European Language Portfolio on the Net addressed to young people and adults which can be able to revamp and (re)utilise this tool effectively. The first part of the project is devoted to how the lifelong learning process, be it formal, non-formal or informal, can be accessed via an “andragogical” approach, and reviews the steps that led to the creation of Europass. The second part, after investigating the history, the structure and the state of the art of the European Language Portfolio, describes the most operational and applicable part of the research, namely the design and creation of an alternative model of European Language Portfolio.

The high frequency induction (HFI) method for production of longitudinally welded pipes was introduced in the early sixties. Initially HFI-welded pipes served more or less only as a low-cost product for standard applications without increased requirements. The growing demand for energy in North America, Europe and the Far East over the last decades has resulted in an increase in the exploration and exploitation of natural gas and oil resources in remote environments under aggravated conditions. This led to more demanding requirements on the mechanical-technological properties of the pipes. Additionally, an accelerated increase of safety awareness can be observed for operation of pipelines, in order to prevent environmental or population damage. Salzgitter Mannesmann Line Pipe GmbH (MLP) coped with the growing responsibilities by having optimized the HFI-welding process over the last decades, in order to produce top quality pipes suitable for practically all requirements. The modifications to this manufacturing process have resulted in a smaller scatter in geometrical pipe parameters and in optimisation of the relevant mechanical-technological properties. This led to HFI-welded pipes which, besides the aspect of lower cost, now offer several further advantages, compared to seamless pipes or SAW-pipes, and enables the use for economical and safe applications. The present paper deals with the compliance of the progressive application requirements, using HFI-welded pipes from Salzgitter Mannesmann Line Pipe works. It will be focussed on the increased production capabilities and mechanical-technological properties of diameters up to 24″ (610.0 mm) and 1″ (25.4 mm) wall thickness, as well as higher API 5L and 5CT grades up to X70M for sour-service and weldable P110, respectively. As there is also an increasing tendency to use steel pipes for structural applications which require an enhanced spectrum of dimensions in recent years, the paper will provide details of the upgraded product portfolio for structural hollow sections (circular, square and rectangular) at MLP.