Introductory testing course syllabus exchange | LARC 2025

Plenary Speaker: Troy L. Cox (Brigham Young University)

Teaching language testing requires balancing theoretical foundations, practical applications, and student engagement. While instructors develop creative course structures, assignments, and strategies, opportunities to exchange and refine these approaches remain limited.

This session provides a syllabus exchange and show-and-tell discussion, creating a space for educators to share successful course designs, assignments, and assessment strategies. Participants will be invited to upload their syllabi in advance, along with key assignments, rubrics, or instructional materials. These resources will be made available via a QR code for attendees to review and download. The session will follow a structured format, moving from brief presentations to small group discussions and concluding with a moderated exchange of insights.

Session Structure:
1. Syllabus Upload & Access – Participants submit their syllabi and supporting materials in advance, ensuring that attendees can review and download them during the session.
2. Brief Presentations (3-5 minutes each) – Each presenter shares:
A key feature of their syllabus (e.g., course structure, assessment design,
innovative assignment).
How it enhances student engagement and learning.
Student feedback or observed learning outcomes.
Why it works and how others might adapt it.
3. Small Group Discussions – Attendees break into groups to:
Identify ideas from the presentations that they could integrate into their courses.
Discuss potential adaptations and modifications for their specific teaching contexts.
Share their own experiences with similar strategies.
4. Moderated Discussion – I will facilitate a whole-group discussion, synthesizing ideas from both the presentations and small groups, and guiding conversation around:
Common themes and best practices in language testing course design.
Challenges and solutions in assessment literacy instruction.
Additional insights and adaptations inspired by the session.
Potential Discussion Topics:
Structuring a language testing syllabus to balance theory, application, and practice.
Assignments that effectively teach reliability, validity, and fairness.
Engaging ways to introduce students to test development and analysis.
Strategies for assessing student learning in language testing courses.
Objectives:
1. To provide educators with concrete examples of effective language testing course designs.
2. To facilitate a syllabus exchange that enables instructors to refine and enhance their courses.
3. To encourage active reflection and discussion through small group engagement and a moderated exchange.
4. To ensure attendees leave with practical, downloadable resources and new teaching ideas to implement.
Relevance:
This session addresses the need for professional development in language testing education by fostering collaboration, resource sharing, and active discussion. The combination of syllabus exchange, small group engagement, and moderated discussion ensures that attendees not only gain valuable insights but also leave with actionable ideas to strengthen their courses.