Test Design and Development
Grants to (re)design Competency, Practical, or Advanced assessments in individual languages, along with other end-of-year proficiency assessments:
- Tests must measure real-world, functional language proficiency in all four skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening) at the given level.
- An iterative process of proposal, test design and revision, then test development and revision must be followed. Each step is laid out in the Timeline.
- Test design and development takes place optimally over breaks or gradually over one or two quarters.
- Applications for test development are due approximately three weeks after a workshop.
- Participants will receive $750 upon completion of a fully developed, approved new test, and $500 for a new version of an existing test.
To apply:
Pre-requisites: Completion of OPI training.
- Applicants submit an application form and statement of purpose on Canvas, along with a proposal for the test they plan to design and develop. They also must have identified outcomes across the four skills when they apply. Deadline: October 27, 2025.
- New test developers must attend the Language Assessment Workshop (Nov. 14), unless they have already attended in a previous year, and the Test Design and Development Workshop (November 22-24, 2025). Returning developers have the option to attend the Test D&D Refresher Workshop (November 21, 2025).
- Along with submitting an application and proposal on Canvas, participants must have their language coordinator (where applicable) and department chair email their approval to Phuong Nguyen.