The British Council’s flagship conference, New Directions South Asia 2025, debuted in South Asia last month in New Delhi, bringing together experts to explore the evolving landscape of English language assessment. The two-day event, themed “Technology and Tradition: The Changing Face of Assessment in English Language Learning Systems,” opened with a keynote address by Professor Barry O’Sullivan OBE, Director of English Language Research at the British Council.
With over 129 million English speakers in India, representing approximately 10.6% of the population, English proficiency plays a vital role in education and employment. Despite ranking 69th globally in English proficiency in 2024, India’s growing economy and global ambitions underscore the importance of English language skills. The British Council, leveraging its expertise in language education, aims to support India’s transition into a global knowledge economy.
The conference gathered policymakers, educators, and assessment experts from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Discussions covered multilingual education and the integration of technology in assessment.
Duncan Wilson, managing director of BC Education India, emphasised the conference’s role in shaping future assessment frameworks, stating, “By hosting New Directions in India, we’re convening thought leaders to empower learners and institutions in an increasingly multilingual and technology-driven world.”
Experts, including Professor Victoria Murphy from the University of Oxford, highlighted the importance of aligning assessments with learners’ developmental needs. The event marked a significant step toward improving English language assessment across South Asia.