Seeking Validation Panelists for Modern Standard Arabic Proficiency Assessment
Avant Assessment is a leader in the advancement of second languages through engagement with thought leaders in education, government and business. Our work effort is focused in three specific domains: 1) development of web-based computer adaptive tests; 2) training and development in the use of assessment data; and 3) research and innovation in assessment design.
Avant was founded in 2001 through a partnership with the Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS) at the University of Oregon. Today, Avant is a recognized authority on second language assessments in the United States Education and Government sectors.
Our organization is in the final stages of the development of a Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) language proficiency test. We will convene an Angoff-style panel to validate the test items used in the test. The goal of this panel is to have experienced MSA teachers rate the difficulty of the test items. Qualified MSA instructors are invited to apply to participate in the panel.
Required qualifications
- Native or native-like proficiency in Arabic; excellent spoken and written MSA
- Very good English skills
- At least three years of experience teaching MSA in an elementary or secondary school context
- Familiarity with the ILR, ACTFL, or CEFR proficiency scale OR other evidence of familiarity with communicative/task-based language teaching methods
- Ability to use a computer, and a high speed connection to the Internet
Preferred qualifications
- Experience teaching MSA or language arts to young native speakers of Arabic
- Experience teaching grades 3-10 learners
- Master’s degree or higher in Arabic, Linguistics, Language Teaching, Language Testing, etc.
Responsibilities
- Rate MSA test questions in terms of their difficulty, using a proficiency scale
- Report results, using simple MS Excel spreadsheets
There will be 6 individual panels. Each panel consists of approximately 80 test items accompanied by short listening or reading passages. Compensation is $300 per panel, and the estimated time required to complete each panel is 6 to 7 hours. Panelists may take on anywhere between 2 and 6 panels.
Panelists will have several days to complete their panels and will work on their own schedules. We will begin the first panels on the weekend of April 6th, with other panels starting the following week.
Panelists will have to attend at least one orientation session. All work and the orientations will be done online, so panelists can participate from anywhere in the world as long as they have access to high-speed Internet. After attending the session, panelists will independently review the test items included in the test and note their results on a questionnaire.
If you would like to participate in this panel, please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to tle-support@avantassessment.com.
