Turkey joins forces with Cambridge and Oxford to elevate language evaluation procedures
Turkey Strengthens Language Testing with Partnerships with Cambridge, Oxford
ANKARA, TURKEY – The Measuring, Selection and Placement Center (OSYM) of Turkey has agreed to collaborate with the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford in the field of language testing and assessment. This development is set to improve the quality of language exams in the country, as well as contribute to more valid language testing practices.
OSYM is responsible for overseeing all centralized nationwide exams in Turkey, including university entrance and foreign language proficiency tests. The cooperation with the Press and Assessment institutions of both prestigious British universities is expected to significantly enhance the quality, validity, and scientific rigor of language exams in Turkey.
Joint research and professional training programs will be developed for test developers and subject experts, fostering scientific advancement in language assessment. The partnership with Cambridge will also contribute to scientific advancement through joint research, while Oxford University Press & Assessment brings extensive expertise in creating language tests, which will be instrumental in enhancing Turkey's language examination practices.
OSYM head Bayram Ali Ersoy stated, "This partnership with Cambridge will significantly enhance the quality of language exams in our country and foster scientific advancement in language assessment through joint research." Regarding the cooperation with Oxford, he added, "Oxford University Press & Assessment has extensive expertise creating language tests. Thus, we attach great importance to gaining a great deal from this institution's experience in the field of language examination research in our nation."
The partnership could also lead to a reevaluation of the roles of foreign language teachers and the promotion of diverse projects for language learning in the country, implying a broader impact on language education policies and practices. This collaboration is set to elevate language testing standards in Turkey by incorporating international best practices and research-driven methodologies into the country's educational system.
The collaboration with Cambridge and Oxford universities will likely extend beyond language tests, impacting education-and-self-development by potentially redefining the roles of foreign language teachers and fostering diverse learning projects. With the integration of online-education resources from Oxford University Press & Assessment, online learning opportunities for language development in Turkey could significantly expand.
