Language testing/assessment pertains to the measurement of foreign language (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, etc.) or English as a second language (ESL) ability/performance at the preK-12 or post-secondary level.In recent years, major ESL assessment efforts in U.S. schools have been shaped by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).NCLB seeks to measure students’ academic language proficiency in the four modalities as well as to document their performance on achievement tests in different subject areas.At the post-secondary level, major research and development efforts have culminated in the revised iBT TOEFL testing program.In terms of foreign languages, the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the recently revised American Council on the Teaching of Foreign languages (ACTFL) Guidelines continue to dominate instructional and testing practices.Language assessment is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary activity wherein applied linguists, bilingual educators, or foreign language specialists work collaboratively with measurement professionals, including psychometricians.With many years of experience, Dr. Micheline Chalhoub-Deville has been actively engaged in research, development, and policies regarding language testing programs. Her work includes but is not limited to performance-based assessments and computerized-adapted testing.
Dr. Chalhoub-Deville seeks to collaborate with those interested in diverse language communities.As a co-founder and co-director of the Coalition of Diverse Language Communities (http://cdlc.uncg.edu/), she has been collaborating with faculty and graduate students on undertaking research, producing technical reports, and providing resources/services that address issues critical to this population. She works closely with graduate students to help them develop as scholars.She mentors students to expand their conceptualization of assessment practices and to develop their research skills. She creates opportunities that enable graduate students to submit their projects for publication in academic journals.