Albert Weideman is Professor of Applied Language Studies and Research Fellow at the University of the Free State.
He is the MD and founder of Language Courses and Tests (Pty) Ltd (LCaT). Albert was one of the initiators of the Network of Expertise in Language Assessment (NExLA). He is also the founder and current chairperson of the Inter-institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA), a formal collaboration between three multi-lingual South African universities.
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 assessing academic literacy, 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.
In the prologue to his latest book, Responsible design in applied linguistics: theory and practice, Albert declares his ‘positionality’ as an author — the beliefs that underlie his particular point of departure in designing of applied linguistic interventions. 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. 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”.
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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 |
|---|---|
| 2019–current | Extraordinary Professor in Language Education at the University of the Western Cape |
| 2020–current | Chairperson of the board, Inter-institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA) |
| 2014–current | Professor of Applied Language Studies and Research Fellow, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State |
| 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 |
Albert Weideman 