Promoting Change in Language Teaching and Assessment at Policy and Practice Levels: An Interview with Hossein Farhady

ABSTRACT This interview highlights Professor Hossein Farhady’s academic life and his sustained contribution to research in the fields of English Language teaching, language testing and ESP over the past decades. Through a number of questions, the interview asks Professor Farhady about his pioneering role in the field of language testing in Iran and his highly valued contribution to issues related to English language teaching and material design. The interview takes the shape of a narrative about Professor Farhady’s past from early days of schooling in a village near Makou in Iran to his PhD studies at UCLA in California and his post-PhD research career in different countries around the globe. The interview summarises his accomplishment in leading research projects, disseminating research outputs, and training new teachers, researchers and language test and material designers. It also provides an interesting portrait of his vision for the field which is based on his experience of working in various higher education contexts over the past decades. Most importantly, the interview demonstrates Professor Farhady’s commitment to research and his dedication to translating research findings to action and bringing change about in policy and professional practice. Above all, the interview is a recognition of his lifetime achievements and an acknowledgement of his dedication, diligence and devotion to research in applied linguistics.