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Survey administration

Successful implementation of the European Survey on Language Competences depends not only on strong central SurveyLang management, but also on close collaboration with colleagues in each country where the Survey will be administered.

For this reason, a National Research Coordinator has been appointed in each country participating in the Survey. This person has overall responsibility for the in-country implementation according to the required standards and procedures set by SurveyLang. They play a vital role and works closely with both SurveyLang and teams within country to ensure the country is prepared for the Survey.

Key tasks National Research Coordinators are responsible for include:

  • Organising teams of translators so that all necessary documentation is in the national (and sometimes local) language(s)
  • Organising and monitoring a team of test administrators
  • Organising and monitoring a team of data entry specialists after the survey has taken place
  • Organising and monitoring a team of marking experts for the writing assessments
  • Providing accurate information on schools and students in-country so that SurveyLang can undertake the necessary sampling procedures
  • Providing SurveyLang with country specific information, e.g. legal issues that may impact on SurveyLang procedures
  • Communicating in-country about the project to stakeholders to ensure awareness of the survey and actively engage school participation.

National Research Coordinators are also instrumental in supplying information for the Language Tests and Questionnaires and providing feedback on them.

Training

SurveyLang experts provide centralised training for National Research Coordinators in the areas of sampling, translation, marking of writing and general test administration. This training can then be cascaded down to those assisting the National Research Coordinator.

Communications between SurveyLang and National Research Coordinators

Many of the tasks undertaken by National Research Coordinators and their teams are being worked to very tight time schedules. SurveyLang has therefore set up a web-based communications and project management system which allows National Research Coordinators and other people concerned with SurveyLang to centrally coordinate and track the progress of all tasks allocated to them.

This system, which provides each country with their own working area, also allows National Research Coordinators to contact any member of SurveyLang with questions or queries.

Custom web-based tools have also been developed by SurveyLang to facilitate the management and tracking of specialised translation and sampling tasks.