Innovation in Language Learning

The aim of the paper is to present the initial phase of the pilot project focused on the use of digital badges in the context of English language teaching (ELT) at the University of Pardubice, Czech Republic, which was carried out with the support of EU-funding. The potential of digital badges is discussed at the level of an integration principle of formal assessment, informal assessment and self-assessment in ELT. Therefore, digital badges are presented within the framework of general theories of portfolio assessment. In accordance with the focus of the paper, the following aspects of using digital badges are emphasised: supporting the students’ learning processes systematically and on a long-term basis, increasing student commitment in the learning process and identifying the acquired skills for the purpose of the students’ self-presentation in their professional Résumé. Besides, the paper presents the empirical evidence obtained by means of a questionnaire survey in order to illustrate the subjective perceptions of digital badges expressed by the students involved.