Explain the possibilities and advantages of using Portfolio for your teaching activity

The European Language Portfolio is a personal document in which the person who
learns a language can register his/her experiences of language learning and experiencies with
other cultures. It can be updated at anytime by the learner, the real responsible for his/her own
learning.

The Portfolio collects the work accomplished by the holder from three different aspects.
Firstly, in terms of acquired competences and formal qualifications, what is called the Passport
section. These qualifications are designed under a common framework, which allows
internacional recognition as well as cooperation and mobility among educational institutions. As
the criteria of the learning proficiency are clearly settled, the passport enables assessment, both
self-assessment and teachers’ assessment. Furthermore, teachers can use portfolios to tailor
teaching to an individualized instruction according to the descriptors and the lacking in skills for
each student.

Secondly, it is collected the information related to the tracking of goal achievements, the
Language Biography. This part records not only the cultural experiences but intercultural
contacts as well. Learner is able to list surroundings languages, behaviours and to assess
positive attitudes towards cultural diversity, which fosters multilingualism.

Thirdly, documents and materials are attached in order to evidence the abilities
previously mentioned, whether the Passport or the Biography. Compositions, letters, written
reflections even pictures make the Portolio unique and illustrate the progression in learning,
increasing students' motivation, self-respect and satisfaction.

The conclusion to be drawn from all this is that Portfolio is a tool which can provide
feedback for the development of the learning, fostering learner autonomy through a reflective
lifelong process.