Local organisers: Katerina Vladimirou, Chrysanthi Nicodemou-Pasiardi, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
ECML experts: Karine Dekeukelaere (Belgium), Gábor Szabó (Hungary)
Participants: 30 language teachers, inspectors, curriculum developers, examination designers, language trainers and assessment specialists
The RELANG workshop, held in Nicosia from 24 to 26 June 2026, attracted great interest, demonstrating the demand for high-quality professional development in CEFR-aligned language assessment. Organised by the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth in cooperation with the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe, the workshop focused on Relating Language Curricula, Tests and Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference (RELANG) and delivered Modules 2 (Constructing valid language tests and examinations based on the CEFR and its Companion Volume) and Module 3 (Relating existing language tests and examinations to the CEFR and its Companion Volume) of the RELANG initiative.
The workshop brought together language teachers, inspectors, curriculum developers, examination designers, language trainers and assessment specialists from various language disciplines to strengthen expertise in CEFR-aligned language assessment. Led by ECML experts Gábor Szabó and Karine Dekeukelaere, the workshop combined theoretical input with practical collaborative activities focusing on test specifications, task design, rating scales, standard setting and the interpretation of assessment data.
Over the three days, participants explored practical approaches to aligning curricula, teaching and assessment with the CEFR and its Companion Volume, together with ways of ensuring that language examinations are valid, reliable and transparent. The workshop also promoted the exchange of expertise among professionals from different language departments, fostering a shared understanding of quality language assessment.
The workshop significantly enhanced participants' assessment literacy and strengthened national capacity for developing CEFR-aligned language tests and examinations. It also established a strong community of professionals who will act as multipliers and test/examination designers supporting the continued improvement of language assessment practices and quality language education in Cyprus.
Katerina Vladimirou and Chrysanthi Nicodemou Pasiardi, local organisers, 7 July 2026
Dedicated ECML website: RELANG, ECML-EC cooperation agreement 2026 “Innovative methodologies and assessment in language learning”