The Call for Papers is now closed!
Reforming language assessment systems – reforming language assessment research
The 2023 Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC) in New York City established that we are now working in a context of rapid change. Methods of developing, delivering and scoring tests are being transformed by advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence. Considerations of social justice, equity and inclusion are moving from the periphery to the core in our theories and practices. Communication itself is changing, and language constructs are becoming broader and deeper to take account of new ways of making meaning in multimodal and multilingual environments. As a profession, adjusting to these changes often requires rapid decision making and deep introspection. This creates challenges for good language assessment practices.
Our attention therefore turns to how we can best manage change, and how we can adjust our practices to meet the demands of this new era. In other words, our attention turns to reform. What kind of reforms do our assessment systems require to respond to new technology, the AI revolution, JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) considerations, and changing constructs? What innovations in research will be required to support validity arguments for new ways of assessing language? How do we communicate change to stakeholders? And how do we foster a research culture of collaboration, transparency and openness?
For the 45th LTRC, we therefore particularly welcome proposals that address the following issues (however, topics are not limited to these):
- Exam reforms at various levels
- Communicating reforms / managing change
- New constructs and assessment formats
- The role of content and culture in assessment
- Technology/AI in language assessment
- JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
- Washback and impact
- Open Science and transparency
- New methods in language assessment research/training
After the first in-person LTRC in four years re-ignited the fire of passion in our field to address current and future challenges in language assessment, join us as we carry the torch at LTRC 2024 in Innsbruck. We are looking forward to receiving your proposals.
Presentation categories
LTRC 2024 invites proposals for the presentation types listed below. Each proposal should be no longer than 500 words and must be accompanied by a summary of 250 words. Except where noted, the 500-word proposal will be evaluated by the reviewers, but only the 250-word summary will be included in the conference program book.
Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Significance of the topic/contribution to the field
- Relevance to the conference theme
- Appropriateness of conceptual framework
- Appropriateness of research design (for empirical studies)
- Clarity, organization, and sufficiency of information provided in the proposal
Research papers
Research papers can be either empirical or theoretical. These presentation slots are 20 minutes in length followed by a 10-minute discussion. In addition to the discussion of results, empirical papers should have a clear rationale and methodology. Preference will be given to proposals related to the conference theme. Proposals not accepted as research papers may be considered as posters or works-in-progress.
Demonstrations (Demos)
Demonstrations usually show how technology has been innovatively applied to assessment. This may involve new means of designing and developing assessments; delivering them; analyzing oral or written texts; scoring of assessments; understanding assessment behaviors (e.g., eye-tracking studies); or other uses of technology in assessment. Presenters should be prepared to showcase their work through screen shots and/or actual demonstrations. Demos are 20 minutes in length, followed by 10 minutes for questions and comments from the audience. The proposal should describe the substantive goals of the presentation, outline how the demo will proceed, and discuss any implications for language assessment.
Posters
Posters will be displayed during the timetabled session in the program, where presenters need to be present, discuss their work, and answer questions from the audience. Posters are a good opportunity for those involved in test development projects, new tests, and technological innovations to present their contributions to language assessment.
Works-in-Progress (WIPs)
Researchers currently working on ongoing research projects can submit them as a work-in-progress presentation. This session offers good opportunities for the presentation of research in progress or research that is being planned. Presenters discuss their projects with small groups of participants and receive comments and suggestions on how best to proceed.
Symposia
A symposium addresses a topic of scholarly interest and comprises multiple presentations that are clearly linked to each other and to the symposium topic. Preference will be given to proposals related to the conference theme. Each symposium should begin with an introduction to the topic and issues of consideration, followed by individual papers offering multiple perspectives to the topic and a synthesis by a discussant. Ample time should be allowed for an extended discussion of the theme with the audience. Each symposium proposal should include a 500-word overview of the symposium topic and a 300-word description of each of the individual presentations.
Deadline for proposals was Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 11:59 pm (Anywhere on Earth, UTC-12)
Contact
Email inquiries: ltrc@iltaonline.com
Note for student presenters
We welcome proposals from students in master’s or doctoral programs!
If your paper is accepted for a paper session or a symposium, you will be eligible for the Robert Lado Memorial Award for Best Graduate Student Paper, which is awarded at the end of the conference. Proposals co-authored with faculty members are not eligible.