International Language Assessment Scholars Convene at Ming Chuan University

by LeAnn Eyerman

Standards for Language Learning is the theme of a seminar being hosted by Ming Chuan University December 3-5.

Scholars and policy makers from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, Peru, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Viet Nam will be presenting research and case studies at the “Seminar on Standards for English and Other Foreign Languages in APEC Economies” during Tuesday and Wednesday’s program.

Sponsored by the Ministries of Education in Chile and Chinese Taipei, with additional funding from APEC, this research-oriented seminar is being hosted by MCU in the Sun Yat Sen Auditorium on the Taipei Campus.

The program features keynote research presentations by Dr. Angel Lin of The City University of Hong Kong, Dr. David Ingram of the University of Melbourne, Dr. Gary Buck of the University of Michigan, and Dr. Mark Moulton of Educational Data Systems.

Case studies on setting language standards and teacher accreditation will be presented by representatives of Chile, Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam.On the first afternoon of the seminar, participants will be treated to an educational tour, observing language programs and facilities at Wu-Ling Senior High School in Taoyuan County and MCU.

A Welcome Banquet starts off the event, being hosted at the Ambassador Hotel by Dr. Chin-sheng Chang, Director General of the Bureau of International Cultural and Educational Relations at the Ministry of Education. Later on Wednesday evening, December 5, all seminar participants will be treated to a Farewell Banquet at the Grand Formosa Regent.

The seminar is a special feature of a project that Chile and Chinese Taipei are co-leading under the auspices of the Education Network (EDNET) in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The project, APEC Learning Standards for English and Other Foreign Languages, is a primary vehicle for cooperating governments to carry forward the strategic direction of APEC Ministers of Education, as set at their last meeting in 2004.

Results from the project will form the basis of setting new direction and strategies at the 2008 APEC Education Ministerial Meeting, to be held in Peru.

In addition to the keynote research and case study presentations, a background research paper has also been prepared for the seminar by Dr. Howard Chen and Dr. Shin-Ying Huang of National Taiwan Normal University, and Dr. Paul Sinclair and Ms. LeAnn Eyerman of Ming Chuan University. This paper comprises an overview of frameworks and instruments used for language assessment, including English and other foreign languages. The paper also includes an analysis of results from a survey conducted among APEC economies over the past four months, covering current policies and practices in regard to foreign language curriculum, standards, assessment, teacher training and licensing.