ALTE to launch new Foundation Courses in Language Testing at Maynooth Conference

The ALTE conference in Maynooth, Ireland in November will be the venue for the launch of a new series of Foundation Courses on language testing. The first course will focus on testing writing.

ALTE is committed to strengthening both the quality of assessment and also how assessment is perceived professionally. One of the key ways ALTE is achieving this is through its programme of education and professional development.

ALTE has developed a framework of training and development suitable for people involved in assessment at all levels of experience and since September 2005, the association has been running summer schools on various aspects of language testing, as well as testing courses at other times of the year. With the introduction of the new foundation courses, ALTE is now offering a three-tier system of professional development. So, whether you are new to the field of assessment, or are an experienced professional seeking to develop your knowledge or widen your range of skills, there will be ALTE courses of interest to you:

• Tier 1: Foundation - Short foundation courses on the basics of assessment. These are ideal for new ALTE members/affiliates, or those with little or no experience and limited technical knowledge of assessment.
• Tier 2: Development - More detailed introductory courses for those wishing to develop a professional/academic understanding of assessment at a deeper level.
• Tier 3: Extended Learning - Courses featuring more specialised content, and developing new areas of professional knowledge and skills for experienced and knowledgeable participants.

To launch the new Tier 1 Foundation Courses, ALTE will begin with a new half-day course on Testing Writing which will be held at the National University of Ireland (Maynooth Campus) on Saturday November 14, from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

For more details and to register for this course, please go to the following link, http://www.alte.org/news/newsitem.php?newsID=202, or contact the ALTE Secretariat: alte@ucles.org.uk