REAL Doc with Jorge Beltran

REAL Doc Zoom and Learn, presented by SALT Journal, proudly presents Jorge Beltran. Please register to attend by clicking the "register" button at the bottom of this page. 

Description: Participants will examine transcripts of three L2 learners’ responses to two tasks of a scenario-based test of L2 Argumentative Language Ability. All examinees are native speakers of Spanish and residents of Mexico.

Background: Data for this session is part of Jorge's dissertation study, which investigates the nature of argumentative speaking ability. Specifically, the study examines whether L2 learners’ ability to present an argument orally can be adequately assessed through a scenario-based test which emulates the various stages and defining features of the process of argument building (e.g., Blair & Johnson, 1987; Deane & Song, 2015; Kuhn & Udell, 2003; Song et al., 2011). Furthermore, the study examines the usefulness of utilizing assistance to mediate gaps in understanding of the argumentative genre. This session will focus on comparing L2 responses to parallel tasks prior to and after going through the scenario presented in the test.

Bio: Jorge Beltrán is a doctoral candidate in Applied Linguistics, with a concentration in second language assessment at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also pursued his master’s degree (Ed.M. ‘16). Jorge is also a research assistant for the Scenario-based Language Assessment Research Lab at TC and is engaged in volunteer positions in the field. For example, he currently serves as Communications Chair for the Graduate Student Assembly of the International Language Testing Association. His dissertation project earned him a Duolingo 2020 Dissertation Research Award, and he has presented his work at various conferences such as AAAL, LTRC, ACTFL, and ECOLT.