LCNAU is a network that brings together individuals, language programs, university structures and tertiary institutions. It aims to strengthen the tertiary languages sector in Australia through advocacy, collaboration, research and support. Find out more about the principles underpinning our work.
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ILTA proudly presents a panel discussion webinar
Exploring the future of online language testing and assessment:
Technological opportunities and challenges
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
9:00-10:30 (EDT)
A fundamental shift in education is occurring around the world as teachers and students transition to online/remote/distance learning. Language teachers are not only learning to navigate online education but also how to assess language in an online environment. This trend from in-person to online language testing is not new but has been accelerated by recent events such as stay-at-home requests and test center closures. For example, students applying for university admission are requesting deadline extensions, causing concern for many stakeholders who rely on language test scores for making high-stakes decisions. Teachers in many educational contexts struggle with adapting in-person placement, diagnostic, and achievement tests to online delivery with a variety of tools, platforms, or technological expertise. This situation prompts an array of issues to consider, including the construct of language performance from ad hoc adaptations.
While webinars and newsletters elicit stories of how to adapt to the current situation, we also need to consider best practices in language testing (ILTA Guidelines for Practice) to meet an increasing demand for online language testing and assessment, both in response to the current situation as well as to accommodate the future demand for online language testing.
Presenters
Paul Gruba, University of Melbourne, Australia
Recognising semiotic resources at the heart of online language assessment
Yan Jin, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Assessing interactional competence online: The case of the CET-SET
Jesús García Laborda, Universidad de Alcalá, Spain
Technology and new item integration for the University Entrance Examinations Foreign Language paper
Jim Purpura and Mashhad Davoodifard, Teachers College, Columbia University USA
Converting to a Secure Administration of an Online English Language Placement Exam: Lessons Learned
Tony Green, University of Bedfordshire, UK
Going online: An opportunity to re-imagine the assessment of writing
Discussant: Carol A. Chapelle, Iowa State University, USA
This panel of invited language testing researchers will provide current views on fundamental issues related to the development and delivery of home-based, accessible high- and low-stakes language testing.
The ILTA Webinar Series is complimentary for members.
We are pleased to also offer complimentary registration for this first session of the Webinar Series to non-members.
For further details and information on how to register, go to:
https://www.iltaonline.com/page/ILTAWebinarExploringthefuture
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Lecturer in Spanish (Level B, Assistant Professor equivalent), continuing appointment.
The ANU School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics is seeking to appoint a scholar to broaden and further strengthen the teaching and research profile of the Spanish Program. The appointee will be expected to have an active research agenda in Hispanic Studies, in one or more of Literary, Film, or Gender Studies, and bring expertise and intellectual distinction to our existing research profile.
Please apply via the ANU website: https://jobs.anu.edu.au/cw/en/job/536201/lecturer-in-spanish.
Applications close 9 August 2020.
For more information please contact: catherine.travis@anu.edu.au
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Lecturer in French Studies (Level B, fixed term).
The University of New England is looking to appoint a full-time fixed-term lectureship (Level B) in French. To discuss this opportunity, please contact Head of School Professor Jane Edwards on phone 02 6773 2017, or email hoshass@une.edu.au.
For further information and application details, please see the link below.
https://www.une.edu.au/jobs-at-une/current-vacancies
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LCNAU contributed to the second consultation conducted by the ARC for the ANZSRC review. We advocated for the retention of FoR code 2003 Language Studies, while insisting that its name be changed to reflect the research activities of our members. The name proposed was “Studies in Languages and Cultures”. The submission was based upon feedback from the LCNAU committee and members, and consultation with other closely related professional associations. The full submission can be read here.
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We are delighted to announce that a collection of essays, edited and authored by LCNAU members, many of which were originally presented as papers at the 2017 LCNAU colloquium, is due to be published by Springer in September 2020. You can find details of the book at
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030509248
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A monograph by our LCNAU former secretary, Sarah Reed, has been published by Peter Lang. Her work, which is entitled Translating Cultural Identity: French Translations of Australian Crime Fiction, demonstrates the ways in which markers of Australian cultural identity are transferred into French, and examines what is lost, but also found or indeed reforged, in a process of transcreation. Publication details can be found at:
https://www.peterlang.com/view/title/64342.
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Please note also the publication by Routledge of an important new study by two of our committee members, Chantal Crozet and Adriana Diaz. Their work, entitled Tertiary Language Teacher-Researchers Between Ethics and Politics: Silent Voices, Unseized Spaces, focuses on the need to engage critically with the question of language teacher identity, agency and responsibility in light of an ever changing global socio-political and cultural landscape.
For more details, go to:
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LCNAU is pleased to be supporting and maintaining University Languages Portal Australia (ULPA). With the support of the LCNAU Heads’ Cluster, the website has been updated to contain current information, and will be reviewed each year. Its coverage of higher level courses will commence in 2020. We encourage all of our members to ensure that their institutions have links to the site in order to ensure that students and colleagues are aware of language availability across the sector.
To spread the word amongst your colleagues about this exciting development for the languages sector, encourage them to view this short animated video!
Memberships for the 2020 calendar year are now open. This call for membership only applies to those who are not yet members of LCNAU or to former members whose membership has lapsed. If you wish to join/rejoin LCNAU, you can benefit from a reduced rate, as all joining fees have been abolished. Rates for 2020 are $75 (full) or $40 (concessional). Please enquire if you are unsure of your current membership status or eligibility for concessional rates. You can contact the LCNAU Treasurer Kayoko Enomoto here.
In the transition phase from Financial year to Calendar year membership, all current members (those who held membership for the 2019-2020 financial year) have had their membership automatically extended until December 31 2020 and need to take no further action.
