Language Testing (Distance) MA drafted

Program Overview

The Lancaster University MA in Language Testing is a part-time, web-based program designed for professionals responsible for language testing and evaluation. The program provides a solid grounding in language test design, construction, evaluation, and research design, helping participants create testing and evaluation policies that conform to international standards of validity and reliability. Taught by experts with a worldwide reputation for excellence in language testing, the program offers a unique approach that allows students to base their coursework and dissertation project on issues within their own educational or professional context.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The program aims to provide professionals responsible for language testing and evaluation at institutional, regional, or national levels with a solid grounding in language test design, construction, evaluation, and research design. The program helps participants create testing and evaluation policies within their own contexts that conform to international standards of validity and reliability.

Objectives:

• Develop a strong understanding of the principles and practices of language testing.
• Learn how to design, construct, and evaluate language tests.
• Gain experience in conducting research on language testing.
• Develop the skills necessary to create testing and evaluation policies that are aligned with international standards.

Program Description:

• Part-time, web-based program designed for flexibility.
• Five online modules and a dissertation.
• Content considers major developments in language testing and reflects current thinking and good practice.
• Starts with compulsory orientation in late September and runs over two academic years, ending with dissertation submission in September two years later.
• Each taught module lasts one academic term.
• Taught by experts with a worldwide reputation for excellence in language testing.
• Provides opportunities to study and base coursework and dissertation projects on issues within your own educational or professional context.

Outline:

Program Content:

• Language test design and construction
• Language constructs for language testing
• Issues in language testing
• Research methods for language testing
• Statistical analysis for language testing

Module Descriptions:

• Exploring Language Constructs for Language Testing: This module explores language aspects and second language learning that language tests aim to measure.
It helps participants develop their understanding of the nature of language test constructs, situate language testing within the broader context of applied linguistics, and become familiar with current research in second language acquisition.
• Issues in Language Testing: This module considers various current issues in the field of language testing.
Topics are reviewed annually to ensure the most relevant are included. It helps participants explore recent developments in validation research, understand the theory underlying the issues covered, and discuss critically key topics in language testing.
• Language Test Construction and Evaluation: This module familiarizes participants with the ways in which language tests are constructed and evaluated.
It includes an overview of basic concepts and principles in language testing. Participants will learn how to construct language tests, with a focus on the four macro-language skills, and evaluate test items critically, through the application and interpretation of descriptive statistics.
• Research Methods for Language Testing: This module covers methodological and ethical issues central to research in language, language teaching, and language testing.
It sets out the knowledge and skills needed to undertake independent research in the field of language testing. Participants will learn how to prepare for their dissertation project, providing information on how to follow up on particular interests and methods they might use in their research.
• Statistical Analysis for Language Testing: This module provides an introduction to theoretical concepts in statistics and practical statistical methods common in language testing research.
It equips participants with a range of statistical tools to carry out routine and research-related analyses of language test data and develops their general understanding of statistical procedures often found in research publications.

Schedule:

• The program starts with compulsory orientation in late September.
• Each taught module lasts one academic term.
• The program runs over two academic years.
• The dissertation is submitted in September two years after the program starts.

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• A variety of assessment methods are used, including essays, presentations, exams, and the dissertation.
• The specific assessment methods used for each module will be outlined in the module handbook.

Assessment Criteria:

• Assessments are marked against criteria that are specific to each module.
• The criteria will be made available to students in advance of each assessment.

Dissertation:

• The dissertation is a substantial piece of independent research that accounts for 40% of the final mark.
• Students are expected to choose a topic that is relevant to their interests and career aspirations.
• The dissertation is supervised by a member of staff who is an expert in the field of language testing.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• A variety of teaching methods are used, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and online activities.
• The program is delivered via Lancaster's high-quality virtual learning site.
• Students will have access to the University's extensive online library resources.
• There will be plenty of opportunities to interact with peers and tutors.

Faculty:

• The program is taught by experts with a worldwide reputation for excellence in language testing.
• Staff members have led and contributed to numerous language testing projects, including national test development projects in many countries and international test development and assessment projects in English and other languages.

Unique Approaches:

• The program is designed for flexibility, allowing students to study alongside work and personal commitments.
• The program follows sound pedagogical principles for the provision of distance education.
• The program provides group-level and individualized support and feedback.
• The program allows students to base their coursework and dissertation project on issues within their own educational or professional context.

Careers:

Career Prospects:

• Former students on the Lancaster MA in Language Testing program are now leading test development and research projects in many parts of the world, in language testing organizations, ministries of education and defence, curriculum development centers, schools, colleges, and universities.
• Several MA students have won international awards for their dissertations and have published their research in academic journals.

Career Opportunities:

• Language test developer
• Assessment researcher
• Curriculum developer
• Teacher trainer
• Language testing consultant
• Policy analyst

Career Outcomes:

• The program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in language testing and assessment.
• Graduates are well-equipped to work in a variety of settings, including government, education, and the private sector.
• The program provides graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a significant contribution to the field of language testing.

Other:

Postgraduate Certificate Option:

• The first year of this program is also offered as the Postgraduate Certificate in Language Testing.
• This option is suitable for professionals who seek training in language testing but are unable to commit to a longer period of study or a dissertation project.
• Students who successfully complete the certificate program can easily transfer to the master's program if they wish.
• Students who graduate with the postgraduate certificate may subsequently rejoin for the second year of the master's program (surrendering the certificate).

British Council Apprenticeships with MA in Language Testing:

• The British Council offers two fixed-term apprenticeships in language assessment in collaboration with Lancaster University.
• Apprentices will work full-time for two years as an apprentice with the British Council in the UK.
• While working, each apprentice will also study part-time on the internationally renowned online MA program in Language Testing at Lancaster University.
• This also takes two years, with five taught modules and a concluding dissertation project.
• The opportunity is ideally suited to graduates with a strong interest in language testing and assessment.

British Council Scholarships for sub-Saharan Africa – MA in Language Testing:

• The British Council offers two scholarships to eligible applicants who live in and are citizens of or legally resident in sub-Saharan African countries.
• The scholarships are offered in collaboration with Lancaster University.
• Each scholarship covers program fees.
• The online MA program in Language Testing at Lancaster University is run over two years, with five taught modules and a concluding dissertation project.
• The scholarships are ideally suited to those working in education or assessment environments, allowing their work and studies to complement each other.
• This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an exciting global network of professionals.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

2 year programme Year 1 (60 credits)Year 2 (120 Credits) Home £3,750 £7,500 International £3,750 £7,500 Cost per 20 credit Module (2024-25) Home £1,250; International £1,250