Global English test assessment organisation Duolingo has announced a masterclass series in September.
The masterclass series, which is being held in conjunction with English Australia in Sydney and Melbourne, will be an opportunity for Australia’s educators and language assessment professionals to benefit from experts from Duolingo and learn about new advancements being made through the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) and rigorous psychometric design.
Transforming Language Testing: The Power of AI
Since its inception, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has innovated a paradigm shift in the English language testing industry. By harnessing the capabilities of AI, Duolingo has developed a test that is not only secure, efficient, and cost-effective but also highly accessible to students and institutions around the globe.
In speaking with the Koala, Managing Director of Duolingo in Australia, Brett Blacker, says, “The test is already trusted by more than 5,000 institutions worldwide—including prestigious names like Harvard, MIT, the University of Toronto, and Imperial College London—the DET is setting new standards in the field of language assessment.”
Recent Innovations
According to Blacker, continuous innovation is at the forefront of the organisation’s outlook. “In recent months, Duolingo has continued to innovate to support the value and accuracy of language proficiency testing. April saw the introduction of Interactive Writing, a pioneering test item that uses generative AI to assess higher-level writing skills in real-time more aligned with academic contexts. This is the first instance of a language test leveraging generative AI to create an interactive experience, marking a significant advancement in language testing.”
“July brought another major update, with the DET now reporting four Individual Subscores—Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening (SWRL). These subscores were released in response to direct feedback from Australian education institutions to provide a more detailed analysis of a test taker’s abilities, complementing the existing Integrated Subscores that represent real-life language use, such as Literacy, Comprehension, Conversation, and Production.” He said.
A Must-Attend Event: Masterclass Series Details
For those eager to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of language assessment, Duolingo’s upcoming Masterclass Series offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into these innovations. The events will be led by Duolingo’s Head of Security and Senior Assessment Researchers, who will share their expertise on enhancing test security and assessment design.
Masterclass Schedule:
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Masterclass 1: Strengthening Test Security – Best Practices and Innovations
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch
- 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Masterclass 2: Enhancing Assessment Design – Ensuring Validity, Reliability, and Fairness
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Networking Reception
Event Dates and Locations:
- Melbourne: September 24, 2024, Sheraton Melbourne Hotel
- Sydney: September 26, 2024, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
Attendance is free for staff who work for CRICOS registered education providers, but spaces are limited, so early registration is essential.
You can register here.
For more information on the event or to discuss all things Duolingo, you can contact Brett via email here.
The Koala News wishes Duolingo well with these events and encourages all educators and language assessment professionals to stay informed and connected in a space that is changing rapidly.
