SESSION 1C

Louise FitzGerald
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Abstract
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is the world’s first fully automated, high-stakes, four-skill test that is designed to measure English proficiency levels for academic and immigration purposes. Traditionally, the use of technology was limited to scoring multiple choice questions to assess listening and reading skills. However, the technological advances of the last two decades, such as artificial intelligence, allow Speaking and Writing skills to be automatically scored with great accuracy, reliability, and objectivity.

The PTE Academic reports on the Overall score, four communicative skills (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) as well as six enabling skill scores (Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Fluency, Spelling, Written Discourse).

Automated scoring is re-defining the landscape of English assessment and this session will explore how it is used to assess language skills.

Bio
Louise FitzGerald has been an ELT professional for more than 30 years. She has taught, trained teachers and managed ELT programs in Australia, Egypt, China and Cambodia. She currently teaches EAP to pre-sessional students and trains on the Language Teacher Education Program at the Institute of Languages, University of New South Wales. As well as proficiency and achievement test development, she has written items for a range of high-stakes English language tests.