Introductory Course in Language Testing              

Please note this is an on-demand course, with the minimum of 4 participants. 
If interested in joining, please email: servicesunit@alte.org. 

This course introduces core principles guiding the assessment of language abilities. It relates theoretical issues both to the language classroom and to large-scale institutional, national and international assessments. The course provides the essential foundations for language assessment practice and for further study in this field.

What knowledge and/or skills will I gain from this course?

The course will provide extensive opportunities for hands-on practice, including in-test design, item writing, scoring and quality assurance processes. Participants will learn:

• Principles that inform the decisions that individuals and organisations responsible for language assessment systems have to make about their design, content, implementation and use
• The qualities of language assessments that contribute to their usefulness
• Approaches to the assessment of the skills that language learners need for communicative success
• How to connect tasks found on assessments to the tasks involved in real-world language use
• Practical applications of theoretical and conceptual frameworks in the development and validation of assessment.

How is this course delivered?

Participant will be invited to join a Microsoft Teams group where all the activities and interactions between participants and tutors will take place.

The course is structured in 12 separate sessions and the Microsoft Teams group will reflect this structure with 12 different areas. All 12 sessions will have the same order of activities:

This is an intensive, full-time course that requires:

To help you to prepare, the core text will be sent to you and the Microsoft Teams platform will be opened two weeks before the start of the course.

Who are the course tutors?

The course will be presented by Jane Lloyd (Cambridge University Press and Assessment). 
Materials from Professor Tony Green are part of the course. 

Jane Lloyd is Senior Research Manager at Cambridge English. Her main responsibilities are leading on standard setting for Cambridge exams, working on large-scale educational reform projects with ministries and NGOs, and working for ALTE. Her work for ALTE is to support other national language test providers. This includes: statistical analysis of items, analysis of rater performance, research into exam and language use at regional and national level, courses and training in assessment, preparation for audits, and training for item writers, test designers and raters. She has a degree in Linguistics, a DELTA, an MA in Linguistics and TESOL, and an MA in Language Testing. She is currently studying for a PhD in Language Testing at CRELLA. 

Testimonial

"The course was excellent. I have a much better idea of how to develop a test and check its validity, along with the principles behind statistical analysis. Jane and Tony were patient teachers, and it was lovely to study alongside other educational professionals from around the world.

When is the next course?

This is an on-demand course, with the minimum of 4 participants. 

How can I register?

Please email: servicesunit@alte.org to register for the course. 

Expression of Interest

If you would like to express your interest in this course, or any other ALTE course, please click here.

Can several people from the same organisation join this course?

Yes. Please email servicesunit@alte.org to register for the course. 

How can I pay?

Full payment is required on registration. We strongly recommend that payment is made online using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. However, if it is not possible to pay with a credit/debit card when registering, please contact the ALTE Services Unit (servicesunit@alte.org) to request an invoice with bank transfer payment instructions.

Course Terms and Conditions

1. Attendance

• Participants must attend at least 80% of live sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion.
• Attendance will be recorded for each session.
• Those who do not meet the attendance requirement will not be eligible for the certificate.
• Missed sessions may be made up in a later edition of the course, subject to availability and the organiser’s approval.

• Each course registration is valid for one individual participant only.

• Registrations may not be shared, transferred, or used by multiple participants, unless agreed with ALTE.

• Group viewing (for example, several people attending from the same organisation in a meeting room or via a shared connection) is not permitted unless explicitly agreed in writing with ALTE.

2. Recordings and Course Materials

• Recording, copying or sharing any part of the live sessions is not permitted.
• All course materials, including slides, recordings and handouts, are the property of the course organiser and are provided for personal educational use only.
• Materials may not be shared, reproduced or distributed without permission.

3. Technology and Course Changes

• Participants are responsible for ensuring they have a reliable internet connection and appropriate technology to join the sessions.
• The course organiser may make reasonable changes to the schedule, content or tutors if necessary, and will communicate any updates in advance.

4. Agreement

By enrolling on and participating in this course, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.