Application Procedures

For more information about the LPII and its components, please visit our LPII page. For questions, contact languageassessment@uchicago.edu.

Language Assessment Workshop

Required for all new LPII test developers. Applicants submit an application form and statement of purpose via Qualtrics, describing why they wish to attend the workshop. They need not be planning to design or redesign an exam in order to attend. For time, date, and registration link, visit our LAW page.

Test Design and Development Grants

Pre-requisite: Completion of a Language Assessment Workshop and OPI training. Applicants submit an application form and statement of purpose on Canvas, along with a proposal for the test they plan to design and develop. They must attend an assessment workshop and have identified outcomes across the four skills when they apply. Along with submitting an application and proposal on Canvas, participants must have their language coordinator (where applicable) and department chair email their approval to Phuong Nguyen. Deadline: November 6, 2020.

Domain Analysis Grants

Pre-requisite: Completion of a Language Assessment Workshop and OPI training. Applicants submit an application form and statement of purpose on Canvas. They must describe in detail the need for the new Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) course and test, and how they would fit into the overall curriculum. Along with submitting an application and proposal on Canvas, participants must have their language coordinator (where applicable) and department chair email their approval to Ahmet Dursun. Deadline: November 6, 2020.

Upon completion of domain analysis, participants will develop the end-of-course proficiency assessment based on the findings of this systematic analysis of language use in their LSP domain.

Online Language Course Development Grants

Pre-requisite: Proficiency assessment (developed through LPII or ARCA) must be in place. Applicants submit an application form and written proposal on Canvas. The proposal must describe the need for the course, how it relates to an existing proficiency assessment, why it is suitable for online delivery. Along with submitting an application and proposal on Canvas, participants must have their language coordinator (where applicable) and department chair email their approval to Nick Swinehart. Deadline: November 6, 2020.

Curriculum Development Grants

Prerequisite: Completion of a proficiency test. Applicants submit an application form and statement of purpose on Canvas. They must describe in detail how the course and course materials they plan to design and develop fit into the overall curriculum. All curricular revisions must adhere to reverse design models: outcomes must be identified and defined, both formative and summative assessments must be in place. They may also wish to design new formative assessments as part of their grant. The application form must be signed by the language coordinator (where applicable) and department chair. Applications and proposals for Summer 2021 are due on Canvas by Monday, May 17, 2021.

Timeline – 2020/2021

  • October 19, 2020 (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM): LPII Information Session, on Zoom
    • SUB-ITEM TEST
    • SUB-ITEM TEST
  • October 23, 2020 (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM): Language Assessment Workshop
  • November 6, 2020: Proposals due for Test Design & Development, Domain Analysis, and Online Language Course Development
  • November 20, 2020: Test Design and Development Refresher Workshop (for returning test developers)
  • November 21-24, 2020: Test Design and Development Workshop
  • December 21, 2020: Test Design submission
  • January 22, 2021: Test Design feedback
  • February 19, 2021: Test Development submission
  • March 12, 2021: Test Development feedback
  • March 26, 2021: Rubric submission
  • April 09, 2021: Rubric feedback
  • May 17, 2021: Curriculum Design Workshop Application and Proposal due on Canvas
  • May 28, 2021: Curriculum Design proposal feedback
  • June 9-11, 2021: Curriculum Design Workshop

*Participants can expect 3-4 additional workshops of approximately 90 minutes to address specific aspects of Test Development and Course Development, along with individual feedback and revision meetings.

NOTE: All materials produced under the Language Pedagogy Innovation Initiative will become the exclusive property of the University of Chicago, and the University has sole discretion in approving and implementing the materials and curricula developed under the Initiative.