British Council Hosts New Directions South Asia 2025 in India
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The British Council has launched its flagship New Directions South Asia 2025 conference in India, bringing together global experts to discuss the evolving landscape of English language learning and assessment. The two-day event, held in New Delhi, commenced today and will conclude on 22 February 2025.
The conference focuses on the intersection of technology and tradition in language assessment. Professor Barry O’Sullivan OBE, Director of English Language Research at the British Council, addressed the gathering on this theme, highlighting how assessment practices must adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Duncan Wilson, Managing Director of BC Education India, emphasised the conference’s impact, stating, “By hosting New Directions South Asia in India, we are convening thought leaders to shape the future of English language assessment, empowering both India and the wider South Asian region to compete and thrive on the global stage.”
Experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan participated, discussing the multilingual demands of modern education. Panel discussions covered topics like AI in language learning, English for employability, and the role of English in multilingual education.
Professor Victoria Murphy from the University of Oxford highlighted the importance of child-friendly assessments, stating, “By combining research-backed methodologies with emerging technologies, we can develop rigorous and inclusive assessment frameworks for young learners.”
Amol Padwad, former director at Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi, chaired a discussion on reimagining English language assessment in South Asia, acknowledging both challenges and opportunities in a linguistically diverse region.
With India’s growing focus on developing a multilingual workforce, the British Council’s conference serves as a crucial platform for shaping the future of English language education and assessment across South Asia.
Source: SHIKSHA
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