[Nairobi, Sept 26, 2024] Dr. Regina Gachari and Ms. Brenda Wambua, lecturers in Language and Performing Arts Department, Daystar University School of Communication, attended an international conference titled New Directions Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking Policy and Practice for English in Complex Linguistic Landscapes. 

The conference took place at the JW Marriot Hotel, Westlands, from 24th to 26th September 2024. 

This New Directions in Language Assessment is the British Council’s flagship language testing and assessment conference which provides perspectives and insights on trends and approaches in English language assessment at a local, regional and international level. This conference was especially significant because it was the very first time it was being hosted in sub-Saharan Africa.  

The theme of the conference “Rethinking Policy and Practice for English in Complex Linguistic Landscapes” was especially relevant to Africa, a vibrant and linguistically rich continent, with over 3,000 language varieties, which offers a unique backdrop for exploring the complexities of language assessment. 

As the continent embraces new opportunities for innovation and education, the conference addressed the challenges and opportunities in language assessment within such a diverse context. The conference addressed the following strands:  

1. Influencing assessment policy to serve multilingual communities
2. English and modern African identities
3. Multilingualism and plurilingualism opportunities and challenges
4. Technology and language assessment and learning in Africa.  

The conference attracted international and local scholars, educational and testing practitioners, policy makers and implementers and other stakeholders with an interest in the role of language assessment in education systems.