Dear JACET ESP Kanto members,

I hope this message finds you well. It is my pleasure to announce that our next meeting will be held on January 22, Saturday, 2022, on ZOOM. Please refer to the following for the detailed meeting ZOOM setup, program, title, abstract, and the bio of the speaker.

• ESP Kanto January Zoom Meeting
• トピック: ESP Kanto meeting
• 時間: 2022年1月22日 03:00 PM 大阪、札幌、東京
  • Zoomミーティングに参加する
  • https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82796361015?pwd=b0o0Mk5KZkozMWM1Nk9GTDFMYUNqdz09
  • ミーティングID: 827 9636 1015
  • パスコード: 926288

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Program:

1. 15:00-16:00 Research Presentation
2. 16:00-17:00 Discussion & Business Meeting

Presentation

• Title: Developing and evaluating a computer-based speaking test for Japanese university admissions
• Presenter: Zhou, Yujia, project lecturer at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

Abstract

With the internationalization of Japan, developing university students’ speaking skills is becoming vital; however, very few universities in Japan use an originally developed four skills-based entrance test that includes a speaking component. At this meeting, I will introduce a computer-based speaking test that has been developed as a selective assessment for Japanese university admissions. The test, called British Council TUFS-Speaking Test for Japanese Universities (BCT-S), was jointly developed by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and the British Council. Aptis, an international test developed by the British Council, serves as its platform, whereas the contents and the delivery system have been adapted to meet the specific needs of Japanese university admissions. In the presentation, I will introduce the background of the test development and the challenges the developers encountered. I will also discuss the empirical validity evidence collected during the test development process as well as the plans for future validation studies. This presentation is intended to provide Japanese university teachers an opportunity to consider how they might effectively utilize speaking assessments to promote the teaching of speaking skills in their classroom.

Bio of the presenter

Yujia Zhou is a project lecturer at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, where she teaches undergraduate courses on English skills and a graduate course in teaching and assessing speaking skills. She graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies with a Ph.D. in language testing and has been involved in the development and validation of a computer-based speaking test for Japanese university admissions since 2017. Her current research interests include the validation of computer-based speaking tests and improving students’ critical thinking skills through group discussions and debates.