Talking and Thinking About Systems: An Interview with Nick Saville

Abstract

ABSTRACT This interview with Nick Saville covers the many facets of a language testing career working in a UK examination board. While the conversation traces his career over a 35 year period, the reader ends up seeing how the field of language assessment itself has developed and grown over that period. Topics covered include the adoption of Rasch methodology in the early days, all the way to more recent topics like the use of AI. The conversation went over his writing – on systemic approaches to ensure positive assessment impact – and on his work with Cambridge Assessment and with ALTE to illustrate how those ideas have been practically carried out in different systems and contexts. Also discussed were other publications he has been involved in, particularly the Studies in Language Testing monograph series, as well as the genesis of Language Assessment Quarterly itself, which highlight Anglo and American differences, but also how different traditions have come together to bring innovation to the field of language assessment.