Language Testing Research Centre
Celebrating 30 years
Established in 1990, the Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC) at the University of Melbourne has become an international leader in research and development in language assessment and language program evaluation.
In 2020 we celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the LTRC and the 10 year anniversary of the Association for Language Testing and Assessment Australia and New Zealand (ALTAANZ) with an joint online celebratory event and an LTRC symposium.
Read about the celebratory event
Based in the School of Languages and Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts, the LTRC comprises a team of internationally renowned researchers in language assessment and language program evaluation.
Our work focuses on:
- research and validation of language tests.
- test development, consultancies and industry linkages.
- licensing a variety of language tests for use by external clients.
We offer:
- a Professional Certificate in Language Assessment.
- training in language assessment through workshops for teachers and researchers.
- supervision of Masters and PhD students.
LTRC academics chair the Assessment Research Group run in the School of Languages and Linguistics. The Centre also currently co-edits the regional language testing journal Studies in Language Testing and Assessment: an international journal of the Association for Language Testing and Assessment Australia and New Zealand.
To read about the history of the LTRC, our mission, purpose and leadership go to About us
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Evaluation
The LTRC provides services in the evaluation of language programs, including bilingual, English as a Second Language, and foreign language programs in schools, colleges and universities.
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Government projects
The LTRC has expertise in school-based assessment in English and other languages. Government funded projects carried out in Australian schools include the evaluation of assessment tools and frameworks for speakers of English as a second or foreign language and measurement of school achievements in Asian languages.
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Industry projects
LTRC specialises in measuring the language proficiency skills required for the workplace or for academic study purposes. Projects undertaken with industry partners have focussed on a range of sectors including health, defence, interpreting and translating, aviation and higher education.
The Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC) runs workshops on language assessment on topics relevant to client needs. LTRC staff teach into the Professional Certificate in Language Assessment and the Master of Applied Linguistics program and are actively involved in supervising graduate students.
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Workshops on Language Testing and Assessment
The LTRC offers training to develop your skills in language assessment and/or language program evaluation. Custom-made workshops can be created on demand.
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Professional Certificate in Language Assessment
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Master of Applied Linguistics
The LTRC is actively involved in supervising Masters theses on language assessment / testing. More information on the Master of Applied Linguistics...
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Doctor of Philosophy – Arts
LTRC staff are willing to supervise PhD theses on topics relating to language assessment. More information on the Doctor of Philosophy – Arts...
We work with clients to develop new language tests tailored to their specific needs or to evaluate assessment tools and frameworks that are currently in use. We also offer a number of ready-made tests.
The Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC) has established links with educational institutions and assessment agencies in many countries and regions including Japan, China, Chile, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, UK and US. Consultancies undertaken for these agencies include research on high stakes admissions tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), test development and analysis, assessor training and professional development.
The LTRC is internationally renowned for its prolific research (both commissioned and grant-funded) on the assessment of language proficiency in the context of migration, as well as in various educational and workplace contexts. We have a strong record of publication in both peer-reviewed academic journals and other outlets. We are active in mentoring graduate students in language testing through thesis supervision, studentships and via a regular seminar series on language testing and assessment for Doctor of Philosophy – Arts students and staff.
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Research projects
Our research projects showcased.
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Publications
Our academic publications, presentations, project reports and submissions.
Journals: Studies in Language Assessment (SiLA, formerly PLTA) & MPLT -
Videos
View the LTRC videos.
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Language Assessment Seminar Series
View the recordings of the seminar series.