EALTA Conference – Athens, May 2008 – Pre-conference Research Colloquium:

‘Standard setting research and its relevance to the CEFR’

Application form For Colloquium

Some of the primary aims and objectives of EALTA are “to make expertise in language testing and assessment readily available” and “to provide training in language testing and assessment”.

Manylanguage testing institutions in Europe are currentlyinvolved in projects aimed at linking language examinations to the CEFR. This exercise requires Standard Setting, which is one of the most complex and controversial topics in psychometrics.

As a continuation of the Barcelona pre-conference workshop on Standard Setting in June 2007, this year EALTA,with the co-operation of CITO and the support of the Council of Europe, is organizing a research colloquium entitled “Standard Setting Research and its Relevance to the CEFR”.

The objective of the colloquiumis to provide the participants with an opportunity to share and discussresearch results and challenges encounteredintheir efforts to link language examinations to the CEFR.
The colloquiumis targeted atEALTA members who are interested in Standard Setting, have already been involved in Standard Setting activities, and would like to present and discuss their research findings.
In order to provide a possibility for more useful/relevant comments and suggestions for further research, those who are planning to present and discuss their research findings will be asked to send in advance their research reports for review by two recognized experts in the field attending the colloquium in Athens. This reviewis not intended to serve as validation of Standard Setting projects, but rather to facilitatemore in-depthand useful feedback and assistance.
The duration of the colloquiumwill be 2½ days(starting on Tuesday, May 6 at 9:00, ending on Thursday, May 8at 13:00)and the number of participantswill be limited to 30.
The colloquiumparticipation fee is 50 € and will cover colloquium materials, coffee breaks and lunches. This fee should be paid on the first day of the colloquium.
Application forms should be sent via email to Neus Figueras:
The deadline for applications is January 15. If the number of applicants exceeds 30,priority will be given to participants who intend to present their own research results. The applicants will be informed about the outcome of the selection by January 31.
Applicant’s name:
Affiliation:
E-mail:
Please, fill in the following questionnaire (by underlining the proper answer(s) or typing). The answers will be used to better plan and organize the workshop.
Why would you like to participate in this colloquium?
Do you have any experience in Standard Setting? /
  • Yes
  • No

If your answer to the previous question was ‘yes’:
What was your role in the Standard Setting? /
  • Organizer
  • Judge
  • Researcher
  • Cut-off decision maker

Would you like to present (in 20 min.) your research results and the issues raised? /
  • Yes
  • No

If your answer to the previous question was ‘yes’:
Are you ready to make available for advance review(prior to 15 April 2008)your research report/presentation? /
  • Yes
  • No

If your answer to the previous question was ‘yes’:
Please write in the box below anabstract (250 words) of your 20 min. research oriented presentation.