Cambridge ESOL and the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE)
The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) works closely with testing organisations, schools and academics throughout the world to support the development of language testing in theory and practice.
Cambridge ESOL is a founder member of ALTE and hosts the ALTE Secretariat from its head office in Cambridge. ALTE is managed by our Chief Executive, Dr Michael Milanovic.
ALTE’s Can Do statements, its quality standards and other contributions to language learning and assessment form part of our approach to developing and delivering high quality examinations.
Cambridge ESOL’s systems of quality control are subject to independent auditing by ALTE.
Setting standards in language testing
ALTE was initially formed by the Universities of Cambridge and Salamanca in 1989, and at the first meeting of the association in 1990 there were eight founder members. Since then membership has grown to 34 members, representing 27 European languages plus over 40 Institutional Affiliates.
ALTE’s main objectives:
- To address issues of quality and fairness related to the exams which the members provide.
- To establish common standards for all stages of the language-testing process and adhere to those standards: that is, for test development, task and item writing, test administration, marking and grading, reporting of test results, test analysis and reporting of findings.
- To adhere to the common levels of proficiency established by the ALTE members. Levels are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in order to promote the transnational recognition of certification in Europe.
- To engage in activities for the improvement of language testing and assessment in Europe through collaboration on joint projects and in the exchange of ideas, know-how and sharing of best practice, especially through the medium of special interest groups.
- To provide training in language testing and assessment.
- To raise awareness on issues related to language assessment by:
- holding two meetings of members per year, lasting for three days, the last day of which shall be an open conference day
- holding a forum for discussion with a wider audience of language testing and assessment issues in Europe.
- To provide leadership in the field of language assessment globally by:
- holding an international conference on language testing and assessment every three years
- holding other open events in Europe to enable an exchange of ideas and sharing of best practice.
ALTE 3rd International Conference 2008
In April 2008, Cambridge ESOL hosted the third ALTE International Conference at the University of Cambridge.
The conference theme, The Social and Educational Impact of Language Assessment, made this key, multilingual event form a bridge between the world of language assessment and educational, social, cultural and economic environments and contexts.
ALTE 4th International Conference 2011
In July 2011, the Jagiellonian University hosted the fourth ALTE International Conference in Kraków, Poland. This multilingual event brought together the global language assessment community to hear influential voices, discuss key issues and meet colleagues from around the world. The conference theme was The Impact of Language Frameworks on Assessment, Learning and Teaching, viewed from the perspectives of Policies, Procedures and Challenges.
