This module will raise your awareness of key principles in language evaluation. You will look at the full range of formative and summative purposes of testing and assessment in language education and apply them to test design, construction and evaluation, being able to critically evaluate institutional, national and international language examinations. You will create specifically designed tests for relevant institutional contexts and familiarise yourself with new perspectives in testing and assessment. Finally, you will develop pathways into TEA research.

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" The tutors are very knowledgeable and know how to get the best out of us - scoring example assessments was very useful. "

Anonymous - 2019

Is this course for you?

 
Location: Norwich
 
Experience: Degree. language teaching experience
 
Language Level: B2/C1 or higher
 
Course dates: 19 - 30 August 2024
 
Certification:
Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or MA awarded by University of Chichester
 
Course Length: 2 weeks
 
Course fees: £1210
 
Accommodation (2 weeks):
Homestay (half-board): £546
Residential (half-board): £616
Residential (self-catering): £546
 
Minimum age: 18
 
Max class size: 16
 
Free social and cultural programme
 
Cross-curricular and cultural workshops
 
Specialist ELT Library
 
Complementary eLearning platform

Course content

 
The key principles of evaluation in language education
 
The full range of formative and summative purposes of testing and assessment in language education
 
How to apply the key principles of language test design, construction and evaluation, including developing detailed specifications
 
How to create tests designed specifically for relevant institutional contexts
 
New perspectives in testing and assessment, including a variety of ‘authentic’/’alternative’ assessment procedures, including self-assessment, peer assessment and portfolio assessment
 
How to evaluate institutional, national and international language examinations
 
How to use basic item analysis and test analysis
 
How to develop possible pathways into research in ‘TEA’

Assessment (written after completion of the course and supervised at distance by tutors):

A portfolio (50%) containing TWO out of the following three options:

  1. A critical review of a test or exam of significance in your professional context.
  2. An INSET session or sessions for a group of colleagues, dealing with an aspect of TEA covered during the course and of relevance to your needs.
  3. A test or assessment procedure designed to meet a significant need in your workplace

A main assignment of around 3,000 words (50%), developing further an area covered in the course which is of particular interest to you and/or of special relevance to the your workplace/professional context.

" I loved how multicultural the course participants were. There was a lovely atmosphere, friendly coursemates and well-respected teachers in the field. The workshops were very practical. "

Cristina - 2019

" The two tutors are the best to cover the different areas involved. I feel privaledged to have had them as teachers constantly there to help us and open to our suggestions. A wonderful course. I would definitely recommend this course to my colleagues. "

Anonymous - 2019

Timetable

Assessment (written after completion of the course and supervised at distance by tutors):

Assessment will be based on three pieces of work, weighted as follows:

Assignment 1 (50%):

The production of a unit of materials together with a theoretical rationale justifying the principles and procedures of the materials.

Assignment 2 (50%):

A portfolio containing the following:

a) A criterion-referenced evaluation of two units of materials in relation to a specified context

b) A criterion-referenced adaptation of a unit of materials for a specified context

Sample Timetable

Further Information

Specific course content comes from feedback you and other participants give us through pre-course questionnaires, identifying your needs and priorities.

Time will be built into the course for reflection and for you to consider how to adapt ideas from the course to your classroom in your own professional contexts.

NILE offers homestay accommodation with carefully selected hosts and residential accommodation at the University of East Anglia. NILE’s dedicated student welfare team can be reached 24 hours a day.

All NILE courses involve a significant element of English language improvement and/or the development of language awareness.

MA Module Leader: Anna Whinnett

Anna Whinnett Anna is a senior examiner, teacher trainer and consultant with specific expertise in ESP and language testing and assessment. Her ELT career began as a language school EFL teacher more than 20 years ago. She has been an online tutor for almost a decade teaching and supporting international Master’s students in UK higher education, and as an external examiner/ adviser she is involved in the development and quality assurance of EAP programmes in the UK and abroad.

Anna’s qualifications include an MA in Language Testing a postgraduate Dip TESOL and the LTCL Diploma TESOL.


Available dates:

Course dates Location Course length
19 - 30 August 2024 Norwich 2 weeks