IATEFL TEASIG webinar

TEASIG: Bridging the Gap: Developing Authentic Intertextual Reading-into- Writing Tasks for Academic Admissions Testing

This webinar focuses on a novel intertextual reading-into-writing task aimed at enhancing the authenticity and validity of academic admissions testing which has been designed and implemented by the Oxford Test of English Advanced team.
The task requires test takers to read two short texts on the same topic and summarize the information in their own words. This approach directly addresses the need for students to synthesize information from multiple sources, a key skill often overlooked in traditional language tests but crucial for university-level academic writing.
Our research, involving both quantitative analysis and qualitative feedback from judges and test takers, demonstrated that this task effectively distinguishes between B2 and C1-level performances. Moreover, participants responded positively to the task’s authenticity and potential for positive washback on teaching and learning practices.
By implementing this innovative task design, Oxford University Press aims to create a more representative and effective assessment experience for English language learners worldwide. The webinar discusses how long-term positive washback can be fostered in classroom Instruction and materials development, as this will ultimately better prepare students for the challenges of academic writing at university level.

 

Speaker- Dr. Nathaniel Owen

Dr. Nathaniel Owen (PhD) is Senior Research and Analysis Manager at Oxford University Press. He holds a PhD in language testing from the University of Leicester specialising in L2 reading processes. His research interests include the interface of language testing and technology, big data analytics, the use of language tests in English-medium instruction contexts, research methods and widening participation in higher education. He has presented work at multiple national and international conferences including Language Testing Forum (LTF), Language Testing Research Colloquium (LTRC), International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) and Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).