Integration tests:
a critical approach
Paola Masillo
Università per Stranieri di Siena
Integration tests: a critical approach
• Language assessment has a long story of use as
strategy and instrument of social policies or
practices, in particular in the role of “linguistic
gate-keeping” (Hogan-Brun, Mar-Molinero, and
Stevenson, 2009).
 the shibboleth test
(shibboleth: ‘ear of corn’)
Integration tests: a critical approach
• Nowadays increasing migration and easier
international and intra-national
communication raise the need to promote
integration and social inclusion and to deal with the
linguistic and cultural diversity that newcomers bring
with them (Vertovec, 2006; Extra, Spotti,Van
Avermaet, 2009; Hogan-Brun, Mar-Molinero,
Stevenson, 2009; Saville, 2009).
 multilingualism
The 2013 Council of Europe survey
C. Extramania, R. Pulinx, P. Van Avermaet (2014)
Linguistic Integration of adult migrants: Policy and practice.
Draft Report on the 3rd Council of Europe Survey
 April - July 2013
 36 member states
The 2013 Council of Europe survey
 Migrant’s journey (Saville, 2009)
Figure 1 Number of countries participating in the 2013 survey that reported a
language requirement for entry, residence, citizenship
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet, 2014: 7
The 2013 Council of Europe survey
Assessment tool
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet (2014)
Level of language proficiency
Common European
Framework (CoE, 2001)
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet (2014)
Test content
Residence permit
Citizenship
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet (2014)
Preparatory language and integration
courses
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet (2014)
Knowledge of society
SOURCE: Extramania, Pulinx, Van Avermaet (2014)
Italy: migration and integration policies
First entry
Law no. 94/2009 Provisions relating to public safety
D.P.R. September 14, 2011, no. 179
Integration Agreement
 Language proficiency level A2 (Oral Production);
 Knowledge of the fundamental principles of the Italian
Constitution and the organization of public institutions;
 Knowledge of civic life in Italy (health, education, labor, and
taxation).
Italy: migration and integration policies
Residence permit
Law no. 94/2009 Provisions relating to public safety
Legislative decree no. 286/1998 Immigration Act
Ministerial decree June 4th 2010 Procedures of the Italian language test
 Italian language proficiency test for migrants asking for EC
residence permit of long-term
 Proficiency level: CEFR A2
Italy: migration and integration policies
Source:
Ministry of the Interior - Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration
Italy: migration and integration policies
VADEMECUM (ai sensi della nota n. 8571 del 16 Dicembre 2010 del Ministero
dell’Interno). Indicazioni tecnico-operative per la definizione dei contenuti delle prove che
compongono il test, criteri di assegnazione del punteggio e durata del test. Direzione
Generale dell’Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore e per i rapporti con i sistemi
formativi delle Regioni-Ufficio IV.
… but:
 the learning context mainly spontaneous and
only sometimes formal;
 the increased exposure to oral language and
spontaneous speech;
 the ability to manage communicative
contexts linked to the private, public and
occupational domains
(Bettoni 2001; Giacalone Ramat 2003; Chini 2005;
Ambroso et al 2010)
Italy: migration and integration policies
VADEMECUM (ai sensi della nota n. 8571 del 16 Dicembre 2010 del Ministero
dell’Interno). Indicazioni tecnico-operative per la definizione dei contenuti delle prove che
compongono il test, criteri di assegnazione del punteggio e durata del test. Direzione
Generale dell’Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore e per i rapporti con i sistemi
formativi delle Regioni-Ufficio IV.
Italy: migration and integration policies
VADEMECUM (ai sensi della nota n. 8571 del 16 Dicembre 2010 del Ministero
dell’Interno). Indicazioni tecnico-operative per la definizione dei contenuti delle prove che
compongono il test, criteri di assegnazione del punteggio e durata del test. Direzione
Generale dell’Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore e per i rapporti con i sistemi
formativi delle Regioni-Ufficio IV.
Italy: migration and integration policies
Italy: migration and integration policies
VADEMECUM (ai sensi della nota n. 8571 del 16 Dicembre 2010 del Ministero
dell’Interno). Indicazioni tecnico-operative per la definizione dei contenuti delle prove che
compongono il test, criteri di assegnazione del punteggio e durata del test. Direzione
Generale dell’Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore e per i rapporti con i sistemi
formativi delle Regioni-Ufficio IV.
?
First conclusions
“There is a broad consensus in the academic world that current
language testing for citizenship processes [admission and
residence permit] are predicated on ideological assumptions
that are discriminatory”
(Blackledge, 2009)
“[…] the constant need to reflect critically on the
appropriateness and effectiveness of aspects of our language
integration policies [i.e. language assessment tools; training and
language courses] while taking fully into consideration the
implications for human rights […]”
(Extramiana, Pulinx,Van Avermaet, 2014)
Thank you!
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