What’s New in the New Devis?

A Shift in How We Think About Learning

The new devis are not just a revision – they change how we think about teaching.

Instead of focusing primarily on content and correctness, they emphasize:

  • communication
  • process
  • progression
  • learner agency

To fully grasp this shift, the following resources are essential.

Core Orientation Documents

document Changes in the New Devis

This document clearly outlines what has changed, why those changes were made, and what new possibilities they open up for teaching and evaluation.

document Translation with Glossary

An unofficial English translation of the devis that helps clarify terminology and concepts, especially for teachers working primarily in English.

document Levels in Practice

This resource translates abstract competencies into concrete “can-do” descriptors. It helps teachers visualize what student performance looks like at each level and supports placement and task design.

Learning from the Designers

ESL Webinar (Collins, Fischer, Viens, January, 2026)

webinar ESL Webinar (Collins, Fischer, Viens, January, 2026)

This webinar walks through the new devis from a teacher’s perspective, highlighting practical implications and addressing common questions.
FSL Webinar (Bélanger, Duval, Popica, January, 2026)

webinar Fr FSL Webinar (Bélanger, Duval, Popica, January, 2026)

This webinar walks through the new devis from a teacher’s perspective, highlighting practical implications and addressing common questions.

Understanding the Alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

The new devis explicitly aligns the levels with the following CEFR levels:

  • Level 1 = A2+
  • Level 2 = B1
  • Level 3 = B2
  • Level 4 = C1

What does this alignment mean? How does it affect teaching and evaluation?

Video (Danielle Hunter)

interview Video (Danielle Hunter)

Danielle Hunter, one of seven international experts on the CEFR for the Council of Europe, explains that aligning with the CEFR is not just about levels or placement – it reflects a broader vision of language learning centered on communication, action, and learner agency.
RASCALS' Roundtable podcast thumbnail for B2 or Not B2 featuring Christophe Chénier

podcast B2 or Not B2? That Is the (CEFR) Question

Christophe Chénier, associate professor in language evaluation from the Université de Montréal, explores how CEFR alignment impacts evaluation and highlights the advantages of focusing on qualitative differences between levels rather than purely quantitative measures.