NEW DIRECTION 2023 EXPERIENCE

By Ms. Lê Thị Thiên Phước

Ms. Quách Thị Tố Nữ

From October 27 to 29, 2023, the British Council, in collaboration with Vietnam National University and the National Foreign Language Project, orchestrated the New Directions in Language Assessment 2023 conference. Held at multiple venues, including Hà Nội VNU and the British University in Hưng Yên, the event drew participants comprising researchers, educators, and policymakers from diverse regions such as Vietnam, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, Myanmar, The UK, Indonesia, China, Spain, Australia, India, USA, Thailand, and Taiwan.

The 2023 New Directions East Asia International Conference on Foreign Language Testing focused on innovative solutions to challenges in testing and education. Themed "The Future of English Testing in Education Systems," the conference aimed to explore the dynamic landscape of language, learning, and assessment over the past decade. Its objectives included a retrospective analysis of language and education shifts, gaining a broader perspective on the role of language testing in teaching and assessment systems.

Key questions about the future of English, broader competencies in a changing communication landscape, and potential consequences of language education policy and reform in the region were addressed. The conference featured three thematic strands designed to center around these questions, reflecting both historical shifts and future directions in the field.

During the conference, Ms. Lê Thị Thiên Phước and Ms. Quách Thị Tố Nữ presented their paper titled "Moving beyond Tradition: An Exploration of Project-Based Learning and Authentic Assessments in Vietnamese Language Education." The paper garnered significant attention from fellow researchers and program managers, including those from Nha Trang University and The Army Academy-Đà Lạt, providing valuable networking opportunities.

A standout takeaway from the event was the Comprehensive Learning System, which emerged as an invaluable guide for effective language teaching, learning, and assessment. This holistic approach considers various dimensions, ranging from instructional strategies to assessment methodologies, offering a well-rounded educational experience.