Evidence-based practices for large-scale language assessment: Research, validation, and concordance CILTER Educational Assessment Thematic Hub Event - Free

This event is run

Large-scale language assessments play a central role in education, migration and professional mobility, but how can we be confident they are fair, valid and reliable? In this talk, organised by the Educational Assessment Thematic Hub within CILTER (the Centre for International, Language and Teacher Education Research), David Coniam and Leda Lampropoulou share perspectives on the research that underpins test quality and the evidence needed for sound decision-making.

David will open the session by examining why ongoing programmes of research and validation are critical for ensuring assessments remain fit for purpose in a rapidly changing landscape. Leda will turn to the role of concordance studies, outlining the principles of good practice that guide their design and highlighting how they can support stakeholders in interpreting and using test scores responsibly.

Join us for what promises to be an engaging discussion at the intersection of research, practice and policy in language testing. The session will consist of 40 minutes of presentation, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A.

Dave Coniam is Head of Research at LANGUAGECERT. He has been working and researching in English language teaching, education and assessment for almost 50 years. His main publication and research interests are in language assessment, language teaching methodology, and academic writing and publishing.

Leda Lampropoulou is Research Manager at LANGUAGECERT, with more than 15 years of experience in the fields of second language acquisition and language testing. In her role, she coordinates LANGUAGECERT's research programme and projects, while contributing to the maintenance of standards and the fitness-for-purpose of the LANGUAGECERT exam portfolio. She holds a BA in English language and Philosophy from the University of London and a MA in Language Testing from Lancaster University. She has published in peer reviewed journals, focusing primarily on test reliability and speaking skills assessment, and is a member of EALTA, UKALTA and ILTA.