Cascade training

Definition
'Cascade Training' (CT) is a term
rapidly gaining currency in English
Language Teaching (ELT) and more
generally in teacher development
via the wider field of Human
Resources.
First stage of cascade training for
English teachers in Malaysia is on the
CEFR
 Principle for cascade
training
Acts as a central training paradigm
Based on the principle of chain
reaction you (professional) train a
trainer to train other trainers who
then train others (teachers).
Professional trainer other
trainers others (teachers)
 Advantages
Exponential multiplication of learning
aids development process
Cuts training time
Preserves the training resources
Maximises skill distribution
Best suited for information transfer
 Disadvantages
Needs careful examination if it suits
the training targets of CEFR
Teachers might be overburdened
Lack of desire to change the current
operation principles
Some of the teacher population
might be reluctant to take part
The levels in CEFR
 Purpose of CEFR
Raising the English language
proficiency of all English language
teachers
Obtaining a benchmark data for
training
Should force all productive language
skills
 Expectations
Selected English teachers are aimed
to reach an advanced level of C1
Primary school students A2
Secondary school students B1 or B2
University C1 or C2
 Implications
A new national examination is
required to assess reading, writing,
speaking and listening abilities
More changes in the format of
English exam papers
New assessment must be flexible to
allow pupils to demonstrate
independent communicative abilities
 Summary
CEFR is welcomed but should be
congruent with strategic planning
and hard work to realise the goals
underlined in the framework.
Suggested measures are :
1. Adequate support and training
2. New communicative English
language assessments