Spaan Fellowship Program

The Spaan Fellowship Program was established in recognition of Mary Spaan’s contributions to the field of language assessment through her more than three decades of work at the University of Michigan. It provides financial support to cover the cost of data collection and analyses for those wishing to carry out research projects related to second or foreign language assessment and evaluation. Project reports are published in the Spaan Working Papers.

CaMLA is offering research funding for up to three projects to be conducted in 2013. Proposals related to one or more CaMLA tests are invited from graduate students, faculty, and other language assessment professionals.

Topics of particular interest this year include:

• Use of tests in different contexts
• Influence of a CaMLA test upon teaching and learning practices
• Stakeholder perceptions of CaMLA tests
• Interpretation and application of rating scales for speaking / writing
• Test-taking processes
• The features of speaking / writing performances that distinguish test takers at different grade levels
• Prompt effects on test taker performance
• Effect of time constraints upon test performance

Duration and Funding

CaMLA will provide funding of up to $3000 per project. Funding is for 12 months: projects will commence on January 1, 2013, and reports are due on December 20, 2013.

Important Dates

Eligibility

Applications are welcome from anyone with a research and development background related to second or foreign language assessment and evaluation. Spaan Fellows are likely to be international second or foreign language assessment specialists or teachers who carry out test development or prepare testing-related research articles and dissertations; and doctoral or masters graduate students who are studying linguistics, foreign language assessment, education, psychology, psychometrics, or related fields.

Application process

Applications must be received by Monday, December 3, 2012. Applications should be completed using the online application form and must include:

• Applicant(s) names and contact information
• Research project details
• Curriculum vitae for each researcher named in the application form
• Student applications must include contact information for two academic references

Enquiries can be submitted by mail, fax, or email:

CaMLA
Spaan Fellowship Program
535 West William St., Suite 310
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103-4978 USA

Fax: 1.734.763.0369
research@cambridgemichigan.org

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be judged according to quality and clarity of abstract, relationship and significance of project within current scholarship in the field, concentration on second or foreign language assessment, likelihood that project will be completed in one year, likelihood that project will result in a publishable paper, and evidence of ability to work independently.

Funding Conditions

Successful applicants must sign a research agreement before funding commences. The research agreement confirms the funding arrangements, the security of data and materials, and the terms and conditions governing the publication of the results of the research. Spaan Fellows will be asked for two status updates in May and September. They must also prepare a final report of their project by the stipulated deadline for inclusion in the annual Spaan Working Papers.