We are excited to announce that the call for proposals is now open for the 2nd British Council New Directions in English Language Assessment Conference in Latin America.

The 2nd New Directions conference in Latin America taking place at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia will focus on professional development in the area of English language assessment at all levels of the education system; the impact of planned, systemic, high-quality investment in development, the practicalities of implementing such programmes and the implications of not.

We invite proposals addressing the main and sub-themes of the conference and are particularly interested in those describing practical approaches, research case studies and innovative perspectives in language assessment in the Latin American context.

Date: Thursday 27 August to Saturday 29 August 2020
Venue: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Main theme: Professionalising English assessment in learning systems: sharing practicalities and implications.

Keynote and plenary speakers include: 

  • Prof Barry O’Sullivan (British Council)
  • Beverly Baker (University of Ottawa)
  • Isabel Longres (University of Montevideo & Plan Ceibal)
  • Fumiyo Nakatsuhara (University of Bedfordshire)

Sub-themes

  • Language assessment literacy
  • Assessing productive skills
  • Operationalising the ESP construct

Type of proposals

  • Research presentations: 20 minutes in length plus 10 minutes for Q&A.
    Research presentations can include studies involving quantitative and / or qualitative data collection and analysis methods, or on presentations describing new or innovative interpretations of theory relevant to the field. 
  • Works-in-progress: 15 minutes plus 5 minutes Q&A
    Works in progress are particularly appropriate for emerging researchers and PhD students in the process of designing and carrying out studies. We also welcome action-research oriented projects carried out by teachers and language assessment practitioners

Criteria for Submission of Abstracts

Proposals should be:

  • 250 words or less in length
  • reflective of the main theme or at least one of the sub-themes of the conference
  • relevant to the target audience
  • of practical interest to members of the target audience
  • relevant to the Latin American region or including a regional perspective on an international paper
  • original and offering insight
  • submitted in English
  • submitted using the Call for Proposals

Key dates:

Call for Proposals Opens   Saturday 7 December 2019
Call for Proposals Closes                     Friday 14 February 2020
Outcomes of Proposals Announced                      Friday 27 March 2020

About New Directions

  • New Directions in English Language Assessment is a series of annual conferences organised by the British Council providing perspectives and insight on trends and approaches in English language assessment locally and internationally.

  • The conference aims to bring policy makers, practitioners, and researchers together for the presentation of innovative approaches and practical solutions, with a focus on real-life case studies and works-in-progress reports.

Contact 

For more information please visit the website or contact us at NewDirectionsLatam@britishcouncil.org