Job: Foreign Language Test Item Expert "Consultant" Worldwide

Deadline: rolling, apply ASAP. Apply online here

Position Summary

The American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (“American Councils”) is seeking highly qualified test item developers (in the area of foreign language) to review, revise, and approve listening and reading comprehension test items. These test items will be calibrated to the U.S. government’s Inter-Agency Language Roundtable (ILR) foreign language proficiency scale. Item reviews will be conducted on the English language versions of test items developed for use in multiple languages, all ILR performance scale levels.

Position Responsibilities

The consultant will provide the following specific services to American Councils:

• Develop a work plan for completing the item development tasks under the contract
• Manage the daily work flow of American Councils’ test item peer review process
• Review and approve the performance of Target Language Experts (TLEs) whose task is to select reading comprehension passages and listening comprehension audios
• Review, edit, and approve the work of test Item Writers (English versions)
• Submit approved test items into the funder’s item development system
• Facilitate trainings and information sessions for new target language experts
• Participate in a 4-day virtual training provided by the government funder
• Procure copyright permissions to use testing materials
• Attend procedural, security, or other trainings as required under the contract
• Contribute to funder reports as required by American Councils
• Sign a non-disclosure agreement with the funder and American Councils regarding the protection of proprietary materials

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include at least three years of experience developing ILR-scale reading and listening comprehension test items. Graduate degree in linguistics, psychometrics, foreign language teaching, second language acquisition, or educational assessment strongly preferred.

 

Additional Information about the Position

If selected, the consultant would commence work in mid-March of 2021 and conclude about August 1, 2021, unless additional days are added by mutual written agreement. The consultant should be ready to work for approximately 20 days per month for a period of five months. The consultant will report to the Director of Assessment and Education Services, who is responsible for certifying the completion of all consultant activities and deliverables, and payment of invoices. There may be an opportunity to extend the assignment, pending performance review and agreement on the part of both parties. The consultant will provide their own workspace, materials and supplies.