How ELAO automated French language placement testing at Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe
We live in the age of online ultra-personalisation, and training providers are feeling the shift. Learners’ expectations are changing. They would rather enrol on a course online, in their own time, than travel to a centre or pick up the phone. In an increasingly connected world, consumers — and students in particular — want a smooth, self-service learning journey.
With this in mind, we helped Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe* to optimise its course onboarding by integrating the ELAO language test directly into its online platform.
*Founded in 1945, Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe is a Belgian non-profit association (asbl) that promotes the French language and French-speaking cultures.
A very specific challenge
Before joining a course, students at Alliance Française had always taken a French test so they could be placed in groups matching their language level. Online tests had been in place for several years, but the marking was still handled manually. Keen to push the automation of its digital placement and enrolment processes further, Alliance Française turned to ELAO to complete the project.
What we put in place
Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe wanted to keep forming homogeneous level groups — but without learners having to wait for their results, and therefore without delaying course enrolment.
We proposed ELAO to automate the language assessment of their learners. To support them at every step, we tailored ELAO using an API** and a bespoke results format designed around their needs.
First, we integrated the ELAO French test into the LMS (learning management system) of their asbl, called Arc-en-ciel. In other words, the ELAO test now sits directly within their online training platform. Once logged in, learners can take the test straight from their personal dashboard. When they finish, they are redirected to Arc-en-ciel, where a course matching their level is suggested.
Second, we adapted the format of ELAO’s results to the Alliance Française’s specifications. Their pedagogical leads wanted the output to show the specific group in which each learner should enrol. We therefore customised ELAO so that our software returns the exact group level for every participant.
In short, we developed a dedicated API for the Arc-en-ciel platform to improve the student experience online, making both assessment and enrolment automatic and tailored.
**An API (application programming interface) is a software interface that “connects” one piece of software or service to another, enabling them to exchange data and features.
The results achieved with ELAO
The solution we designed and rolled out on the Alliance Française Bruxelles-Europe platform has made it possible to:
- Free up staff time: ELAO handles every test and every correction without any human intervention, unlike a non-automated test.
- Streamline course enrolment: Learners receive their test results immediately, along with a recommended course matched to their level. By improving the user experience, we have helped drive a higher enrolment rate. Here, ELAO is the perfect bridge between pedagogy and commercial performance.
- Reduce data-entry errors: 80% of sign-ups now happen online, which limits mistakes because almost all learners enter their personal details themselves.
In conclusion
Coordinating three different parties — Alliance Française, the Arc-en-ciel developers, and ELAO — was no small task. Yet we successfully aligned the developers’ technical reality with our client’s pedagogical and commercial goals, thanks to strong project management, a lean approach, and clear communication throughout. For us, every client is an opportunity to innovate.
For more information about our solution, get in touch with one of our experts.
