Descripción y análisis del examen online de acreditación de dominio de español de los niveles B1 y B2el eLADE

Abstract

The increasing role of technology in today’s society and its use in learning environ- ments enable more than ever the use of computers in language testing. This article outlines the eLADE test by the Centre of Modern Languages of the University of Granada. This is an innovative test since it is a fully online accreditation exam of Spanish. We describe the circumstances that led to its kickoff in 2012, its academic and technical development, and the validation and standardization protocols followed, together with information on the latest fourth exam session. This article has a two-fold aim. It aims both at disseminating the information about the first validated online test of Spanish proficiency and at promoting test-development transparency in accordance with the inter- national good-practice testing protocols. As it is here described, the results of the exam sessions have been so far excellent. Moreover, test-takers and institutions have shown great interest in the exam, claiming that both its online administration and facilitation protocols make it easier for them to assess, manage and obtain a Spanish proficiency certificate which is valid, reliable, functional, and fully accredited.