British Council’s fresh effort to tackle English assessment challenges

The British Council’s flagship conference, New Directions South Asia 2025, debuted in the region on February 21, uniting education leaders from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan to confront the evolving challenges of English language assessment. 

The two-day event, launched with a keynote by Professor Barry O’Sullivan OBE, Director of English Language Research at the British Council, explored the theme “Technology and Tradition: The Changing Face of Assessment in English Language Learning Systems.”

With English as a linchpin for education and career growth globally, the conference spotlighted South Asia’s unique needs. 

Held over February 21-22, it drew 250 participants—including policymakers, educators, and assessment experts—for two plenaries, four panel discussions, and over 30 sessions. Topics ranged from employability through English to AI-driven education reforms, young learner assessments, and multilingual contexts.

Bangladesh sent two delegates: Jesmin Ara, Director and Project Manager at the Directorate of Women’s Affairs, who sought better access to English training for women at the upazila level, and Shilu Roy, Assistant Director at the National Skills Development Authority, who joined a panel on English skills for migrant workers’ employability.

Maxim Raimann, Country Exams Director for British Council Bangladesh, hailed the event as a game-changer. 

“Hosting New Directions here convened the region’s thought leaders to shape English assessment’s future, empowering South Asia to thrive globally,” he said. 

Professor O’Sullivan added, “This launch marks a milestone in innovating assessment practices, blending technology and tradition to meet learners’ needs.”

Oxford’s Professor Victoria Murphy, speaking on young learner assessments, stressed child-friendly frameworks: “We’re blending research and tech to support young learners’ growth across the region.”