LML Research Seminar: "Authenticity in the Age of Automated Passage and Item Generation in Language Proficiency Assessments" by Prof Antony Kunnan

The Department of Linguistics and Modern Language (LML) was honoured to invite Prof Antony John Kunnan, Principal Assessment Scientist at Duolingo, Senior Research Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Language Assessment Quarterly, to deliver a research seminar on the topic of "Authenticity in the age of automated passage and item generation in language proficiency assessments". The seminar was successfully held in hybrid mode on 16 May 2023.

Prof Kunnan first gave the audience a general overview of how artificial intelligence is being applied in language proficiency assessments, including chatbots and automated generation of conversations. Prof Kunnan also demonstrated examples of how those functions are being applied on the Duolingo English Test. Then, the focus of the seminar was shifted to the authenticity of those functions in language proficiency tests. Finally, Prof Kunnan discussed about future directions and how artificial intelligence could be applied to assessing listening in language proficiency tests.

About 180 participants attended the seminar on-site or via Zoom to discuss various topics regarding artificial intelligence in language proficiency assessments. Participants included students, academics, teaching staff, scholars, retired academics, and psychometricians from different countries. The participants raised many questions at the Q&A session, Prof Kunnan answered them one by one. The atmosphere of the seminar was positive and energetic. The event was a great success.

Participants listening to Prof Kunnan

Prof Kunnan presenting during the seminar

Dr Xie Qin presented Prof Kunnan with a souvenir on behalf of LML