Conference Theme:
Assessment in Transformation: Language, Learning, and New Frontiers in Feedback
Rather than approaching technological change as a problem to be solved or a tool to be adopted, the conference foregrounds foundational questions central to assessment practice. These include how feedback operates when automated responses are ubiquitous, how educators conceptualize authorship and originality in language production, and how validity, fairness, and trust are sustained as the boundaries between human- and machine-generated language are increasingly blurred. Further, we are interested in questions that focus on the assessment of indigenous languages, translanguaging or educational contexts that are recognized as under-researched. The focus remains on assessment as a pedagogical and ethical practice rather than a technical procedure.
In addition, we welcome reflections on emerging developments, including the evolving role of technology such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in language assessment. While still in its early stages, GenAI is beginning to influence both conceptual and practical approaches to assessment, raising new questions about constructs, feedback practices, ethics, and the role of human judgment in technologically mediated environments.
Submissions might address, for example:
• How assessment frameworks are adapted in multilingual or Indigenous language context
• How assessment constructs and processes are changing in relation to AI
• The role of theoretical models in shaping classroom-based or large-scale testing
• Practitioner-led innovations in assessment practices
• How test users and stakeholders interpret and negotiate assessment results
• Implications for policy, equity, and social justice in language testing across Canadian educational institutions
• The implications of technology for test design, feedback, or assessment literacy among educators and learners
• and other important issues related to the conference theme.
Call for Papers
We invite authors to submit abstracts in either English or French on research related to language assessment and testing. Submissions that engage directly with the conference theme are especially encouraged.
This conference offers a uniquely intimate and collegial setting that fosters rich, in-depth dialogue between researchers, graduate students, and practitioners from across Canada. It is an excellent venue for developing work, receiving constructive feedback, and building lasting scholarly connections.
We particularly welcome submissions from graduate students and early-career scholars.
We will have a conference proceedings. Following the conference, presenters will be invited to submit a paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings. All submissions will undergo peer review before publication.
Student awards
Students who submit an abstract as the first author will automatically be considered for one of the three student awards: First Prize ($200) and two Runner-Up Prizes ($150 each). Award decisions will be based on the quality of both the submitted abstract and the student’s conference presentation. Abstracts will be peer-reviewed.
Proposals by a combination of graduate student(s) and more senior scholars are eligible as long as the lead author is a student. The lead author will be the primary recipient of the award money. It is expected that the work presented is from student-led work or where the student had a major contribution in the design, analysis or writing of the study.
Conference Proceedings
Following the conference, presenters will be invited to submit an extended abstract of their paper for inclusion in the CALA/ACÉL 2025 Conference Proceedings, which will be published online through the CALA/ACÉL website.
Extended abstracts should be between 3,000 and 4,000 words, excluding references. Submissions may take the form of full research papers, research-in-progress reports, or pedagogical innovations related to language assessment. Further submission guidelines will be provided after the conference.
Abstract Submissions
Abstracts should be no more than 250 words for English and 300 words for French, excluding the title and references. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 7, 2026. Submit your abstract here: https://forms.gle/CRtmijQDVwi11sN27
As part of the submission process, you will be asked to indicate your preference for conference participation: presentation or works-in-progress.
All abstracts will be peer-reviewed. Notification of acceptance will be sent by Friday, August 14, 2026.
Conference registration will open on Friday, August 14, 2026.
As part of the submission process, you will be asked for:
1. Your name and affiliation
2. Email address
3. Your preference for conference participation
We are pleased to share that registration for the conference is complimentary for all CALA members. To take part in the event, participants will need to be registered members of CALA.
To become a member, please visit the CALA/ACÉL website https://www.cala-acel.org/become-a-member or if you have questions about the conference email cala.acelconference@gmail.com