New Directions is a series of expert-led regional events in East Asia that brings international and national perspectives on trends and approaches in English language assessment linked to teaching and learning. It is an annual conference organised by the British Council.

 

New Directions 2018 will be held on 22nd - 23rd October at Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The conference provides a space where policy makers, educational professionals and academics can interact, exchange information, and keep abreast of leading developments in the field of English language teaching, learning, and assessment.

 

This year, we aim to:

 

Share approaches and solutions to language assessment challenges in the region and internationally.

Provide a unique platform to open the communication circle between language assessment academics, policy makers and practitioners.

Connect local, national, regional and global agendas in language assessment.

Provide a global network for policy makers and practitioners working in the field of English Language Assessment.

Support evidence-led decisions deriving from research.

Support global thought leadership in assessment.

The New Directions 2018 invites proposals for papers on the following main theme and subthemes:

 

Theme

 

The design, use, and implementation of language standards and proficiency frameworks in language testing and assessment, and the link between standards, assessment and the wider educational context, such as curriculum design.

 

Subthemes

 

The alignment of existing tests to proficiency standards and the use of standards to inform the design and validation of new tests

The manner in which standards can inform classroom teaching and assessment

The impact of using standards to inform policy decisions and set assessment goals, either at a national or institutional level, on teaching and learning.

The localisation of standards and proficiency frameworks: adapting large-scale national or international standards to a more fine-grained focus on local needs.

The relationship between the rapid development of artificial intelligence and automated rating technology and assessments designed from and aligned to existing proficiency standards.

Key dates

 

Submission of proposal abstracts:  31st July 2018

Notification of acceptance: 21st August 2018

Conference dates: 22nd - 23rd October 2018

Workshops Dates: Dates to be confirmed

 

Please visit https://www.britishcouncil.my/new-directions/call-for-papers to find full information about the New Direction Conference 2018.

 

Kindly send your papers according to the deadline provided. Good luck and see you at the New Directions Conference 2018.