AFELTA – The Academic Forum on English Language Testing in Asia is an annual forum of various independent and university-affiliated examination and assessment organizations in Asia, a venue for academic, research, exchange and learning activities with respect to theories and practices in language assessment in general, and English assessment in countries of the region. The 25^th forum centering on English language testing in the 21^st century lasted two days on the 14^th-15^th of March, 2023 in Singapore and was hosted by Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

SEAB Headquarters

Attending the Forum, ULIS participants included Assoc.Prof. Lam Quang Dong, ULIS Vice President for Research and Quality Assurance, Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Quynh, Head of the Office for Science and Technology, and Dr. Nguyen Thi Quynh Yen, Director of ULIS Testing and Assessment Center.

On behalf of the authors, Dr. Quynh Yen presented a paper entitled Enhancing Language Proficiency Assessment: The VNU Language Tests for Occupational Purposes and Its Quality Assurance Framework, in tandem with such other international papers as Assessment for Learning (AfL) in Singapore Classrooms by Dr. Tay May Yin, Investigating the Cognitive Process of TEM Test-takers: Evidence from eye-tracking by Dr. Mingwei Pan, Candidates’ Use of Communicative Strategies in an Internet-delivered Speaking Test by Dr. Cameron Smart, amongst others.

At the Forum, participants were invited on a tour of SEAB’s Heritage Gallery and its Automated Storage and Retrieval System right within the premises of SEAB where the 25^th AFELTA Forum took place. The ULISers also took time to meet and discuss opportunities for joint research, academic activities, extend ULIS invitation to international scholars like Dr Willy Ardian Renandya, Principal Lecturer, National Institute of Education – English Language & Literature, Nanyang Technologi University, Singapore, to join ULIS in its academic work and publication, particularly in the context of the new enactment No. 486/QĐ-ĐHNN dated 6^th February, 2024 which demonstrates ULIS strong commitment to enhanced investment in research and academic works.

The trip brought home new prospects, realistic and effective measures for ULIS to accomplish its 2024 annual plan on science and technology, its ST Strategy as well as ULIS Development Strategy until 2030 with the vision to 2045.  

Lam Quang Dong