05/04/2018
During the conference, Cambridge Assessment English will showcase its latest research and developments, with a particular focus on Cambridge English Qualifications and how they help people learn English and prove their skills to the world.
Our programme includes more than 21 experts delivering 15 presentations and pop up talks by the leading experts from Cambridge, covering such subjects as designing tests for various purposes, teacher professional development, and learner feedback and motivation. There will also be five pop-up talks focused on the future of language learning in the era of new technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), robotics and gaming.
Some of the highlights include:
Learning by design: creating a virtuous circle for progression
In this interactive session, Ron Zeronis and Sian Morgan will explore how Cambridge English Qualifications link together learning, teaching and assessment in a virtuous circle. The exams provide a learning ladder which helps test takers’ set goals and measure success. The use of common question types and detailed results reporting across the exams supports best practice in teaching.
Watch on YouTube
Teacher training in the 21st century – is CELTA still relevant?
CELTA (the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) started life in the 1960s. Although it has been revised and formalised since then, its essential principles, content and course components remain largely unchanged. Drawing on candidate data and research undertaken, Clare Harrison will consider the extent to which CELTA maintains its relevance as a teaching qualification in the 21st century.
Watch on YouTube
Feedback and motivation for young learners
In the revised Cambridge Assessment English exams for young learners, intuitive and accessible diagnostic feedback will be included in the results. In this talk, Lynne Stevenson and Sarah Albrecht will focus on how feedback can be used by teachers in the classroom to motivate young learners, help foster a joy of learning and create a sense of achievement. They will also present some child-friendly activities that can provide effective feedback that is understandable to these young learners.
Watch on YouTube
Designing tests to encourage collaborative discussions among A2 learners
A2 Key andA2 Key for Schools speaking tests are being revised to assess a broader range of interactive speaking and to allow A2-level learners to show the full extent of their speaking capability. Kathryn Davies & Dr Ivana Vidakovic will present the trial results which show that the changes elicit realistic interactions and the production of a wide range of language. The trials suggest that lower-level learners should be given the freedom to engage in collaborative and authentic discussions with their peers.
Watch on YouTube
In addition to participating in our talks, conference attendees will have a chance to ask any questions related to Cambridge English Qualifications and collect a free classroom poster from stand 26.
The programme of the talks by experts from Cambridge Assessment English and Cambridge University Press at IATEFL 2018 is available here.