Resource Library

Educational Testing Services (ETS) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. In addition to assessments, ETS conducts educational research, analysis and policy studies and develops a variety of customized services and products for teacher certification, English-language learning and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education. The organization serves individual students, their parents, educational institutions, and government agencies.

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) is a federally funded research and development center focused solely on adult learning. NCSALL's efforts are dedicated to improving practice in educational programs that serve adults with limited literacy and English language skills, and those without a high school diploma. NCSALL both informs and learns from practice. Its rigorous, high quality research increases knowledge and gives those teaching, managing, and setting policy in adult literacy education a sound basis for making decisions. NCSALL is also a leader in designing innovative professional development programs and in building support for research use.

The International Education Programs Service (IEPS), part of the U.S. Department of Education, administers 14 international education programs. The mission of IEPS is to meet the national needs for expertise and competence in foreign languages and area or international studies. These programs are complementary in nature and benefit a variety of audiences through training programs, research, start-up or enhancement projects, and fellowships. The International Education and Foreign Language Studies domestic programs are designed to strengthen the capability and performance of American education in foreign languages and in area and international studies. Overseas programs are intended to improve secondary and postsecondary teaching and research concerning other cultures and languages, training of specialists, and the American public's general understanding of the peoples of other countries.

The Language Policy Research Network (LPREN) is an international organization of researchers, scholars, and stakeholders in the field of educational language policy. We host colloquia at conferences, invite publications related to the field, convene at events, and share resources, announcements, and other opportunities via the LPREN listserv.

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) advances quality education and equal opportunity by promoting fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial evaluations of students, teachers and schools. FairTest also works to end the misuses and flaws of testing practices that impede those goals. FairTest places special emphasis on eliminating the racial, class, gender, and cultural barriers to equal opportunity posed by standardized tests, and preventing their damage to the quality of education. Based on goals and principles, FairTest provides information, technical assistance and advocacy on a broad range of testing concerns, focusing on three areas: K-12, university admissions, and employment tests.

The NZALT is professional association of over 600 teachers of languages (other than English or Māori as first languages) from the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The Association offers its members a nationwide network of committed and enthusiastic language teachers, support in the teaching and learning of languages, links with specialist language associations, regional meetings and in-service opportunities, professional development awards and ASIA 2000 funding assistance, biennial conference with national and international speakers, representation on official committees and panels, and advocacy on key issues.

The IATEFL Testing, Evaluation, and Assessment Special Interest Group (TEA-SIG) includes people who are interested in the process and product part of learning English as a second and foreign language, in testing, evaluation and assessment in ELT. The group's main focus includes international viewpoints on (1) classroom assessment, (2) classroom tests, (3) external standardized examinations, (4) evaluation of teaching, (5) evaluation of institutions and programs.

Research SIG is a unique forum for discussion of issues connected with research into ELT, bringing together teachers, teacher-researchers and researchers from around the world. In this active community, members share their experiences of and findings from research, and network face-to-face at regular events, online via our discussion list, and in print through our twice-yearly publication, ELT Research.

The Centre for Educational Research on Languages and Literacies (CERLL), formerly known as the Modern Language Centre, addresses a broad spectrum of theoretical and practical issues related to second, minority and majority language and literacy teaching and learning. CERLL's work focuses on curriculum, instruction, and policies for education in second, foreign, minority, and majority languages, particularly in reference to English and French in Canada but also other languages and settings -- including studies of language learning, literacy, methodology and organization of classroom instruction, language education policies, student and program evaluation, teacher development, as well as issues related to bilingualism, multilingualism, and cultural diversity.

The UCLA Center for the Study of Evaluation (CSE) and, more recently, the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) strives to improve the quality of education and learning in America. CSE/CRESST contributes to the development of scientifically based evaluation and testing techniques, encourages the development, validation and use of sound data for improved accountability and decision making, and explores technological applications to improve assessment and evaluation practice. Today CSE/CRESST research and development serves government, military, and pre-K through college-level education and training.

CRELLA assists scholars, examining boards, and government organizations with quality research and development in the areas of English language learning and assessment. A major area of the Center's activity is research into the nature of English language proficiency, and how methodologies can be improved to measure proficiency.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) academic disseminates knowledge by linking the work of TESOL-based academics to teachers, teacher-trainers, teacher-trainees, decision-makers and other researchers. TESOLacademic is an independent initiative intended to bridge theory and practice in TESOL. The website provides a global forum for people to talk about how their recently published research, or an aspect of it, impacts language pedagogy. All postings on their site have gone through a peer review process.

The Pearson Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aims to make a difference by promoting literacy, learning, and great teaching.

Connecting the UK to the world and the world to the UK, the British Council is Britain's international cultural relations body. In an inter-dependent, turbulent world, [the British Council] believes that creating opportunities for people to understand each other better, work together more, and learn from one another is crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all.

The ICT Digital Literacy Portal is the "public face" of a fast growing international movement focused on promoting Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Digital Literacy. This website provides a global resource and collaborative environment for dissemination of ICT Literacy materials, interactive discussions, research information, and international dialogue. The ICT digital literacy resources are intended to build awareness, encourage debate, and promote the importance of digital literacy. They provide practical information for business, government, teachers, and educational leaders, and encourage communication by employing technology tools in the most collaborative sense. Digital literacy is becoming more integrated into all aspects of our daily lives – such as access to educational opportunities, health and medical services, banking and consumer services, e-government services, and for applying green ICT solutions to global environmental challenges.

Low Educated Second Language and Literacy Acquisition (LESLLA) for Adults is an international forum of researchers who share an interest in research on the development of second language skills by adult immigrants with little or no schooling prior to entering the country of entry. The goal of the LESLLA is to share empirical research and information to help inform and guide further research on second language acquisition for the low-educated adult population. This research in turn will provide guidance to education policy development in all those countries in which immigrants settle and most need educational support.

The National Capital Language Resource Center (NCLRC) is a joint project of Georgetown University (GU), The George Washington University (GWU), and the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). NCLRC is located in Washington, DC, and is one of fifteen nonprofit Language Resource Centers nationwide, created to improve and strengthen the nation's capacity to teach and learn foreign languages. Funding for the center comes from the U.S. Department of Education. Since its inception in 1990, the NCLRC has conducted activities in the areas of testing, learning strategies, materials development & methodology, technology, professional development, and dissemination of information on commonly and less commonly taught languages.

The Association of Test Publishers (ATP) was founded to promote and develop testing and assessment best practices and to facilitate an environment that would benefit test-takers, businesses, educational organizations, and society in general. ATP charges itself with defining professionalism for assessment and ethics, and promoting adherence to these principles. To achieve this purpose, ATP focuses on two initiatives: advocacy for the industry and education for its members. The association is committed to promoting the benefits of best practices in testing and the value of these benefits to society.

Established in 2009, The Canadian Association of Language Assessment/L’association canadienne pour l’évaluation des langues (CALA/ACEL), is a professional and academic association dealing with language assessment issues (both English and French) in Canada. CALA/ACEL promotes research and scholarship in language assessment; promotes best practices in the field of language assessment; advises local, provincial and federal agencies on issues related to language assessment; disseminates knowledge about language assessment to all interested individuals and organizations (including educators); forms a platform of communication among researchers in the field of language assessment in Canada; provides quality control for sensitive, high stakes language assessment practices; ensures fairness in assessment practices in both official languages; and considers language assessment in both academic and occupational/professional settings.

The National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) is a federally funded research and development center focused solely on adult learning. NCSALL's efforts are dedicated to improving practice in educational programs that serve adults with limited literacy and English language skills, and those without a high school diploma. NCSALL both informs and learns from practice. Its rigorous, high quality research increases knowledge and gives those teaching, managing, and setting policy in adult literacy education a sound basis for making decisions. NCSALL is also a leader in designing innovative professional development programs and in building support for research use.