Call for Papers

Innovative and Reliable Approaches to Language Assessment and Test Design in Higher Education
Conference Date: 23 June 2017
Location: Department of Modern Languages, Streatham Campus, University of Exeter

EXTENDED DEADLINE: 20 March 2017

The Department of Modern Languages at the University of Exeter is organising a one-day conference to bring together practitioners, researchers and experts working in the area of language assessment and test design in higher education. The aim is to share experiences and discuss the latest developments and innovations in this crucial field of language tuition. The conference forms part of the EU-funded project European University Tandem (EUniTa), which includes in its remit the design of assessment components.

We welcome presentations of case studies and projects as well as research-related papers on innovative approaches to the assessment of language and the design of reliable tests across the whole spectrum of Modern Languages taught at university, including English as a Foreign Language.

In particular, we invite contributions in the following areas:

– Placement test design
– Use of the CEFR in language assessment and test design
– Assessment of tandem learning
– E-assessment
– Use of C-Tests in assessing overall language competence
– Effective means of ensuring reliability and validity in test design
– Self-assessment and peer-assessment
– Innovative approaches to the assessment of oral and listening skills
– Assessment of project-based learning
– Assessment of intercultural communication

Abstracts are invited for a 20-minute presentation/workshop, followed by a 10-minute discussion. The abstract with title should be sent in a single-spaced word document of up to 300 words as an email attachment to the conference organisers Sonia Cunico () and Christian Mossmann (). The email should include the name, contact details and institutional affiliation of the presenter(s).

Confirmed keynote speaker: Prof. Barry O’Sullivan, Head of Assessment Research and Development, British Council, and President of the UK Association for Language Testing and Assessment (UKALTA)

For further information on the conference, please contact the organisers:
Professor Sonia Cunico, Director of Language Teaching:
Christian Mossmann, German Language Coordinator: