ALTE and its LAMI Group supports this event:
The British Council in collaboration with the University of Reading is delighted to announce an online panel discussion event “Future-proofing language tests for migration purposes” to be held on Friday 25th June 12.00-13.30 UK time.
Please register for the event at the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-proofing-language-tests-for-migration-purposes-tickets-159442357383
Future-proofing language tests for migration purposes
A decade ago, only a handful of countries used language tests as a central component of their migration and integration policy. Now, the use of language tests for migrants has become the norm. However, in spite of their widespread use and in spite of the potentially life-altering impact these tests may have on people’s lives, livelihoods and opportunities, the empirical foundations supporting the use of these tests remain rather thin. To date, as language tests for integration purposes are widely used, some of the most essential questions remain unanswered, such as:
- What is the construct these language tests are supposed to measure?
- How can language tests can be operationalized in a way that eliminates bias in a population so diverse?
- Why have these tests become a central part of the integration policy of so many countries and regions, when studies have indicated that tests have an adverse effect on migrants’ sense of belonging in the host country?
- To what extent do language tests for migration and integration purposes conform to human rights principles, to date protection principles and to international migration law?
At least for the foreseeable future, language testing for migration purposes is here to stay. So what can/should happen to make the practice future-proof?
Subthemes & speakers
The event will cover 3 subthemes, with each subtheme being addressed by a different panel of speakers:
The role of language testing in migration policy
Zvezda Vankova, Lund University
Tony Capstick, University of Reading
Ute Knoch, University of Melbourne
Constructs, operationalization, reliability and bias
Nick Saville, Cambridge Assessment English
Tim McNamara, University of Melbourne
Bart Deygers, Ghent University
Consequences and validation
Cecilie Carlsen, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Barry O’Sullivan, British Council