Challenges in Language Testing Around the World

Betty Lanteigne is a former Fulbright Dissertation Fellow and English Teaching Fellow, and also an Associate Professor at LCC International University in Lithuania. For 14 years she has trained English teachers from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, focusing on language assessment literacy and sociolinguistics, particularly pragmatics. Her research and teacher training interests combine sociolinguistic description and language assessment.Christine Coombe has a Ph.D. in Foreign/Second Language Education from The Ohio State University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of General Studies at Dubai Men’s College. She is the former Testing and Measurements Supervisor at UAE University and Assessment Coordinator of Zayed University. Christine has published numerous books and articles on language testing/assessment, research methods, leadership, teacher effectiveness and task-based teaching and learning.James Dean Brown is Professor of Second Language Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has spoken and taught in many places (from Australia to Venezuela). He has published numerous articles and books on language testing, curriculum design, research methods, and connected speech.

• 1. Introducing Challenges in Language Testing Around the World.- 2. Problems Caused by Ignoring Descriptive Statistics in Language Testing.- 3. Disregarding Data Due Diligence Versus Checking and Communicating Parametric Statistical Testing Procedure Assumptions.- 4. Washback of the Reformed College English Test Band 4 (CET-4) in English Learning and Teaching in China, and Possible Solutions.- 5. Fairness in College Entrance Exams in Japan and the Planned Use of External Tests in English.- 6. (Mis)use of High-stakes Standardized Tests for Multiple Purposes in Canada? A Call for an Evidence-based Approach to Language Testing and Realignment of Instruction.