The ILTA Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) welcomes conference goers to be a part of its first ever Language Tester Mentoring Program (LTMP)! 
This one-time mentoring experience is unique in that we do not limit graduate students or novice professionals to mentee roles. Those who have expertise in an area can sign up to be a mentor, regardless of where they are in their career. For example, if a graduate student has expertise in using particular statistical analyses or data analysis software, they can sign up to be a mentor to others on this topic. Conversely, experienced language testing professionals and scholars can be mentees on topics in which they are looking to learn more about. LTMP will match participants based on their expertise (mentors) and interests in learning (mentees).    

Mentoring sessions last about 60 minutes and will take place over the breakfast hour (7:00AM–8:15AM) during the conference. Paired mentors/mentees will be able to choose on which of the three days (June 7, 8, & 9) they’d like to meet. Interested in participating in the program? Simply indicate your interest by clicking on the black "LTMP Interest Form" button below.  
This one-off mentoring opportunity aims to bring together a variety of professionals—from novice to experienced—within the field of language testing and assessment to share information, tips, suggestions, and practical wisdom on topics related to, but not limited to:

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  • Graduate school
    • Pursuing postgraduate/graduate degrees in language testing
    • Securing funding and scholarships
    • Establishing expectations with supervisors
  • Job-seeking
    • Navigating the academic job market
    • Navigating the industry job market
    • Developing applications materials (e.g., CV, cover letter, statements, securing recommendation letters from professors and mentors)
  • Professionalization
    • Presenting at conferences
    • Publishing for expert audiences
    • Publishing for non-expert audiences
    • Successful grant writing
    • Transitioning out of graduate school
    • Establishing research networks/collaborations
    • Becoming a supervisor/mentor to one’s own students
    • Becoming involved in professional organizations
  • Conducting research
    • Managing research projects
    • Using advanced statistical analyses for research purposes
    • Using open source software to conduct research or manage data
    • Recruiting participants from specific populations
  • Developing assessments
    • Managing test development projects
    • Navigating copyright permissions for test materials
    • Hiring item writers and raters
    • Working with third-party contractors
  • Work-life balance
    • Managing service commitments
    • Handling administrative commitments for faculty members
    • Dealing with mental and physical health in academia/industry/workplace
Tentative Timeline
December 2022–February 2023: Conference goers indicate interest
March–April: LTMP organizers pair up mentors with mentees
May: LTMP participants receive pair assignments
June 7–9: LTMP participants meet during the conference 

If you have any questions about this initiative, please email LTMP organizers: [email protected]  

Looking forward to seeing you in New York!

LTMP Organizers: Andy Liu, Gordon West, Monique Yoder, Niles Zhao, and Liberato Silva dos Santos