Albert is an expert language tester. The tests he has designed or helped to develop have been used in tertiary institutions in South Africa, Vietnam, Namibia, Singapore, the Netherlands and Australia. The quality of academic literacy tests in South Africa derives to a large extent from his creative designs. The language courses he has developed have been used at beginner, intermediate and advanced level, while his books have served to introduce teachers to innovations in language teaching.

His current research focus is on language testing and assessment, and on how this relates to developing a theory of applied linguistics, or what he calls a foundational framework for working responsibly within that discipline.

BELIEFS

In the following books, Albert declares his ‘positionality’ as an author — the beliefs that underlie his particular point of departure in designing of applied linguistic interventions:

• A Theory of Applied Linguistics: Imagining and Disclosing the Meaning of Design
• Responsible Design in Applied Linguistics: Theory and Practice;
• Beyond Expression: A Systematic Study of the Foundations of Linguistics; and
• A Framework for the Study of Linguistics.

Autoethnography, as this is called, belongs squarely within postmodernism, holding that neutrality in science is neither possible nor desirable.

PUBLICATIONS

Albert is a rated researcher with the National Research Foundation. He has published more than 90 articles in national as well as in international journals or as book chapter contributions. He is the sole author and editor or co-editor of several books.

Find selected outputs in the fields of

1. Foundations of linguistics and applied linguistics
2. Course design
3. Test design
4. Academic literacy

RECOGNITION

In 2019 the South African Association for Language Teaching bestowed a lifetime award upon him “in recognition of his contribution to research and practice in applied linguistics, test design, and curriculum development in academic literacy”. In 2012 a Festschrift was published in honour of his work, featuring essays from his colleagues and former students.

QUALIFICATIONS

University of Essex, UK. 1983 — M.A. in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics (cum laude).
University of the Free State.  1987 — D. Litt.  (Thesis: Applied linguistics as a discipline of design: A foundational study). 

EXPERIENCE

Year	Position
2014–current	Professor of Applied Language Studies and Research Fellow, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
2020–current	Chairperson of the board, Inter-institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA)
2019–2021	Extraordinary Professor in Language Education at the University of the Western Cape
2016–current	Founder and MD of Language Courses and Tests (Pty) Ltd (LCaT)
2009–2015	CEO: Inter-Institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA)
2009–2012	Professor and Head: Department of English, University of the Free State
2002–2009	Professor and Director: Unit for Academic Literacy, University of Pretoria
1998–2001	Director: Professional Programmes,  Faculty of Education,  University of the Western Cape
1995–1996	Director: Centre for Education Development,  Stellenbosch University
1988–1995	Education Manager, Urban Foundation Director: Language Methods and Programmes (L-MAP)
1983–1988	Senior Lecturer: University of the Free State
1975–1983	Lecturer: University of the Free State
1970–1974	Senior Secondary Teacher, Jim Fouché Secondary School