Programme
The course will cover the following topic areas:
- The similarities and differences between speaking and writing
- The constructs of speaking and writing
- Task characteristics that contribute to task difficulty in speaking and writing
- Task development in speaking and writing
- Rating criteria and rating scale design in speaking and writing
- Rater training and standardisation in speaking and writing
- The role of the interlocutor in speaking tests
The course will comprise a mixture of lectures (with discussion) and practical work. Participants will be split into two groups for workshops in order to ensure that: a) opportunities for personal attention are maximised, and b) every participant has the opportunity to work in both areas, speaking and writing. The practical work will be tailored to the specific interests of the participants (e.g. young learners, primary school, university/tertiary).
| Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 - 10:30 | 11:00 - 12:30 | 14:00 - 15:30 | 16:00 - 17:00
Monday only: 17:30 |
|
| Monday |
No session Welcome desk |
Intro Workshop Comparing & contrasting the skills |
Input session The construct of writing |
Input session The construct of speaking |
| Tuesday |
Input session Eliciting the constructs Task types S & W |
Workshop Task design A |
Workshop Task design B |
Feedback in plenary |
| Wednesday |
Input session Rating the constructs Rating criteria S&W |
Workshop Rating scales A |
Workshop Rating scales B |
Feedback In plenary |
| Thursday |
Input session Rating the constructs reliably Rater training S & W |
Workshop Rater training A |
Workshop Rater training B |
Input session Interlocutor frames |
|
Friday |
Workshop Interlocutor training A&B |
Round-up session farewell buffet Question box: ask the expert |
No session Afternoon excursion |
No session |
The course does not require long experience or specialized knowledge in language testing and assessment. A short questionnaire will be included in the application form to gather information about participant interests and needs. This will enable the teaching team to tailor the course to the needs of the participants.
The summer school will be held at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. It will be five days long, starting on Monday, 18 July at 11:00 and ending on Friday, 22 July at 13:30 (following a farewell lunch). Apart from the opening and closing days, the activities will run 9:00 – 17:00 each day except Monday when the session ends at 17.30. Two social events are planned: a welcome reception on Monday, 18 July and an optional half-day outing on Friday, 22 July. The detailed programme and timetable will be finalised and sent to participants at least one month before the start of the workshop. Participants will be asked to bring their own laptops.