British Council new directions tackles English assessment challenges

British Council new directions tackles English assessment challenges

New Directions South Asia 2025, British Council flagship conference on language testing and assessment, made its South Asia debut on 21 February bringing together participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The two-day conference commenced with a ceremony featuring senior representatives from the British Council. Professor Barry O Sullivan OBE, Director of English Language Research at the British Council delivered the keynote address on the conference theme Technology and tradition: The changing face of assessment in English language learning systems.
English remains a vital global language driving both functional needs and aspirational goals in education and career advancement worldwide. The British Council, with its expertise in delivering high-quality English language services and examinations, is well-positioned to support South Asia knowledge ambitions. The first-ever South Asian edition of New Directions marks a significant step towards addressing the growing importance of English language assessment in the region.
The conference brought together participants from across the region offering a unique opportunity to address the evolving demands of multilingual and interconnected educational systems. Over these two days, regional and international leaders in education came together to create a collaborative platform for policymakers, educators, academics, teachers and assessment experts.