King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded today in Riyadh its annual international conference titled “Language Testing: Theories, Experiences, and Prospects.” The event was held under the patronage of HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KSGAAL. More than 40 speakers representing 22 countries participated in the conference, including local, regional, and international institutions specializing in language testing.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of KSGAAL, expressed his gratitude for the continued support of His Highness the Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, noting that such support played a key role in achieving the conference’s objectives. He explained that the Academy organized the conference based on its national, regional, and international mandate to protect, promote, and support the Arabic language, as well as to facilitate its learning and teaching both within the Kingdom and globally.

The conference brought together professors from Saudi and international universities, along with specialists in the fields of testing, measurement, and language assessment. Discussions focused on a wide range of theoretical and practical topics related to language testing and linguistic evaluation, across four main themes: developing tests in line with global best practices and scientific standards; addressing the challenges of promoting and globally recognizing language tests; applying these tests in academic and educational institutions around the world; and leveraging artificial intelligence technologies in implementing Arabic language proficiency assessments.

Over the course of ten sessions, experts and academics presented diverse perspectives on topics such as theoretical foundations of language testing, standards for test development, modern trends in linguistic assessment, proficiency testing methodologies, testing linguistic skills and components, technology in language assessment, challenges and solutions in language testing, Arabic language testing in universities and academic institutions, global models and case studies in language testing, and KSGAAL’s contributions to the field of Arabic language assessment.

Participants also reviewed a number of international practices and case studies, including the official Arabic testing program in the United States, Arabic proficiency assessments in North Africa, specialized Arabic examinations in China, the digital testing experience at Leipzig University, literary language assessment methods for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers at Taif University in Saudi Arabia, the Arabic proficiency test developed by Nur-Mubarak Islamic University in Kazakhstan, linguistic evaluation methods in American universities, the standardized Arabic test for non-native speakers at Maulana Malik Ibrahim Islamic University in Indonesia, Arabic proficiency testing in the Maldives, and language assessment approaches in Kerala, India, as well as the evaluation model of the Arabic-French School in Benin and the Cambridge Ordinary Level Arabic test experience in Mauritius.

As part of the conference, KSGAAL launched the “Hamzah” Arabic Language Proficiency Test, developed to support the Academy’s strategic goals of advancing the Arabic language, affirming its global status, and promoting its instruction to non-native speakers. The test also reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strategic mission to support all matters related to the Arabic language and to strengthen its position in the fields of education and communication. In addition, the Academy launched the Arabic Language Testing Journal, the first specialized Arabic academic publication dedicated to the field of linguistic assessment.

The conference aligns with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of the key programs under Saudi Vision 2030, and with KSGAAL’s strategic pillars aimed at achieving excellence in Arabic language proficiency testing and application. It represents a new stage of research and innovation in the field of Arabic language testing, fostering scientific exchange and collaboration among researchers and academics, and contributing to the development of best practices in Arabic language assessment worldwide.