Overview
The 2024 English Language Assessment Symposium, hosted by the British Council, took place on 30 November in Beijing. Experts from China’s Ministry of Education’s National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA), as well as specialists from both China and the UK, gathered to share the latest academic research in the field of English language teaching and assessment. This collaboration demonstrates the power of research in advancing the development of English education and testing. The first batch of "English Testing Research Projects," jointly established by NEEA and the British Council, has successfully concluded. The research findings highlight the positive impact of the China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) in advancing assessment development, optimising classroom teaching, and enhancing teacher assessment literacy. The British Council and NEEA are also preparing new funding opportunities for future research projects.
Additionally, the 2023-2024 IELTS Test Taker Performance Big Data Report for Mainland China was officially released during the seminar. The report provides an objective analysis of IELTS test takers' performance in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, revealing trends and insights to support the development of high-level international talent.
Location of Symposium: China World Hotel Convention Centre
Date: 30 November 2024
Agenda
Time | Topic | Speaker |
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9:30-9:45 | Overseas Study Trends and How Language Assessment Enables International Talent Development | Wang Daquan, Director of the Overseas Study Service Center, Ministry of Education |
9:45-10:20 | The Comprehensive Learning System: British Council Perspective on English Language Policy and Education | Prof Barry O’Sullivan, Director English Language Research, British Council |
10:35-11:10 | New Development of China’s Standards of English Language Ability | Wu Sha, Director of Foreign Language Assessment Department, National Education Examinations Authority |
11:10-11:45 | China's national English language assessment needs | Prof Han Baocheng,Executive Vice Dean of the Graduate School, Deputy Director of the Foreign Languages Research Institute |
11:45-12:00 | Review of the British Council-NEEA English Assessment Research Grants Scheme | |
13:30-13:50 | Administration of IELTS over the last 20 years in China: Changes and improvements through collaboration | Li Tong, Director of Overseas Examinations Department, National Education Examinations Authority |
13:50-14:20 | Insights sharing of IELTS and overseas study | Tiffany You, Director Examinations for British Council China |
14:20- 14:50 | British Council & Cambridge research: A compendium of recent IELTS research |
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15:10-15:50 | Investigating common perceptions and claims from test providers and exploring the evidence |
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15:50-16:50 |
Panel discussion: Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in Language Assessment Moderated by Mark Walker, Director of English & Exams, British Council |
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