Riyad, Saudi Arabia: The British Council is pleased to announce the Language Assessment Conference 2023, which will take place on 8 and 9 May at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference is in partnership with Saudi TESOL and will bring together leading experts in the field of language assessment to discuss the latest trends and innovations.
The Language Assessment Conference 2023 aims to provide a platform for educators and researchers interested in language assessment to share their expertise and discuss best practices. The conference will feature a diverse range of sessions, including keynote speeches and panel discussions.
“We are excited to host the Language Assessment Conference 2023 in Riyadh,” said Michael King, Director of Exams, KSA, Bahrain and Kuwait. “This conference is an opportunity to showcase the latest innovations and trends in language assessment and to provide a forum for educators and researchers to exchange ideas and best practices.”
The Language Assessment Conference 2023 will feature the following distinguished speakers:
- Dr Ardeshir Geranpayeh, is the founder and director of Cambridge Computational Psychometrics, Cambridge-United Kingdom. He has contributed to the design, development, validation, revision and evaluation of several internationally recognised language proficiency tests developed by the University of Cambridge, including IELTS. Dr Geranpayeh has published extensively on language proficiency testing, cheating detection and automated assessment, and his current interest includes the application of computational psychometrics in language learning and assessment.
- Olena Rossi, is an independent assessment consultant, with an MA and a PhD in Language Testing from Lancaster University, UK. Olena’s research interests lie in the areas of test development, item writing, and assessment literacy for test stakeholders. Olena has a lot of practical language testing experience as an examiner, item writer, item quality reviewer, and item-writer trainer.
- Dr Johanna Motteram, Manager, Integrated Learning and Assessment in the Global Assessments team at the British Council, works with specialist Exams teams across the British Council to develop, deliver, and validate language assessments for different purposes. Her recent projects include test adaptation for the WPLN assessment suite, BCT-S validation studies with researchers from Tokyo University of Foreign studies, and new assessment development for graduate recruitment in India.
- Paul Muir, Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer at Surpass Assessment, has worked in the assessment industry for over 20 years. Paul has a passion for enhancing access to education using technology, especially in parts of the world where innovative ways of working can be rewarded.
- John Pill, is a lecturer in language testing in the Department of Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University (UK). His research interests include specific-purpose language testing, assessing speaking, and teaching and communicating about language assessment.
- Saima Satti is the Director of Business Improvement at British Council, UK. Satti worked for over 10 years at IELTS, one of the largest high stakes English proficiency tests, leading teams globally.
- Andriani Papapericleous is the Head of Technology Enabled Assessment in the Global Business Improvement Team at the British Council. Papapericleous has 23 years of experience in Exams Operations and knowledge of a wide range of products.
- Abdullah Al-Bargi is Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESOL and Dean of the English Language Institute (ELI) at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia. President of Saudi TESOL, international site reviewer for USDE-recognized CEA, and a seasoned journalist.
- Khatuna Tavartkiladze is the English Programme Director at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences with 20 years of experience in language teaching and teacher education.
- James Lasak is the senior learning and development professional at Aramco’s Academic Curriculum & Testing Unit. Lasak holds a Master’s Degree in English Language Teaching & Applied Linguistics.
- Dr Mansoor S. Almalki is Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, HE Consultant, and Vice President for Development and Quality at Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia. He is also a certified reviewer for US-based CEA and member of different national and international associations.
The conference is open to all educators, researchers, and professionals interested in language assessment. The conference registration will be available soon, and interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to register their interest to receive updates on the conference program, speakers, and registration information.