Keynote Speakers – ELTSociety 2021 Virtual Conference
Dr. Chalhoub-Deville & Dr. Shahrzad Saif
We are very pleased to have Dr. Chalhoub-Deville, and Dr. Shahrzad Saif
as our keynote speakers for our first virtual conference.
Dr. Micheline Chalhoub-Deville
Keynote Title
Large-Scale Tests and Evolving Constructs
Summary: Second language (L2) assessments cover a broad range of purposes and types, including classroom-based and large-scale, admissions testing. While these assessments overlap in their attention to the L2 construct, they are distinct in terms of what they seek to achieve, e.g., documentation of learning versus predictive utility. The present talk explores current operations in large-scale, admissions tests and potential changes to an L2 construct representation. An argument is made that the future of L2 testing is likely to involve a convergence of testing paradigms. Assessments embedded in L2 learning programs and utilized to make admissions types of decisions are likely to be the future of testing.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Micheline Chalhoub-Deville is Professor of Educational Research Methodology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Prior to UNCG, she worked at the University of Minnesota and the University of Iowa. Professor Chalhoub-Deville is Past President of the International Language Testing Association (ILTA).
Dr. Shahrzad Saif
keynote Title
Test impact: The effects of high stakes testing and classroom assessment on learning outcomes
Summary: This presentation explores test impact on teachers and learners both from a measurement perspective, which attributes success to an increased test score, and from a learning perspective, which is primarily concerned with improvement in language abilities targeted by the course. Using evidence from research projects in EFL, ESL and FSL contexts, I will discuss how high stakes tests impact classroom teaching, learning, and assessment practices. Furthermore, research findings pointing to the intended effects of classroom language assessments on learning will be discussed. I will argue that the enhanced validity of classroom-based assessments, resulting from such context-specific factors as stakeholders’ perceptions, learners’ needs, and teachers’ understanding of the program and curriculum objectives, is largely responsible for improved learning outcomes.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Shahrzad Saif is a professor of Applied Linguistics at the Departément de langues, linguistic et traduction, Université Laval (Quebec, Canada). Dr. Saif is currently serving as the vice-president of the Canadian Association of Language Assessment, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Canadian Language Benchmarks. She is the co-editor of ILTA Newsletter and a member of the Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) Advisory Board.