About SLTI

About SLTI

Second Language Testing, Inc. (SLTI), a small business specializing in the development of language proficiency tests and test translation and/or adaptations, has its corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. SLTI has a staff of 15 full-time employees, including test development specialists, desktop publishing specialists, test translation managers, a psychometrician, bookkeeper, and business services manager. We also maintain a worldwide network of consultants, as well as translators and language specialists for over 50 languages. Many of our consultants have worked with us for years. Other pages of the SLTI website provide additional information about the company and its work.

Background and Expertise

SLTI is the first company of its kind—focusing solely on test translation and language testing. SLTI carries out two kinds of projects: translation and adaptation of tests covering a variety of content or fields, and the development of tests of language proficiency. About 45% of SLTI’s work is in the area of test translation/adaptation and 45% involves developing tests of language skills. The remainder focuses on assessment research, e.g., rater standardization studies, independent technical evaluations and scoring standards.

SLTI develops tests of language proficiency in languages other than English for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from the certification of government and military linguists to the credentialing of courtroom and medical interpreters. In addition to test development, SLTI staff members perform validation studies, standard setting studies, and alignment studies, both for tests they have developed and for tests developed by other entities. SLTI is actively involved in research regarding various aspects of language testing, including linguistic simplification, accommodations for English language learners, and the continued refinement of the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scales for language proficiency.

SLTI is also a principal developer of language proficiency tests used by the US Government. Our very first project, in 1994, was a listening test of a Chinese language for the FBI. Since then, we have continued to do tests for the FBI. In addition, we have done tests for other IC and federal government agencies, including the DoD, the DLI, CASL, TSA, FSI, the Federal Judiciary, and the National Language Service Corps, which is funded through the National Security Education Program.

Since the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed by the US Congress in 2001, SLTI has been integrally involved in projects to develop NCLB/ESEA-responsive English language proficiency tests. SLTI has written and reviewed test passages, items, and rubrics for English language proficiency tests. This base of experience and breadth of knowledge gives SLTI an advantage in dealing with the issues that may arise in any discussion of English language proficiency tests. Further, SLTI’s project managers are well versed in the procedures associated with large scale test-development projects, and there is a continual focus on developing and maintaining strict timetables for deliverables without compromising product quality. A major portion of SLTI’s clients are larger or full service educational testing companies who contract with us to carry out projects involving language test development or test translation/adaptation. We also contract directly with state departments of education.

Since its incorporation in 1994, SLTI has maintained an excellent reputation and posted an impressive number of achievements. SLTI’s competency and expertise are demonstrated by the number of products the company has produced, the experience of its president, Dr. Charles W. Stansfield, and the highly competent project managers and test developers it utilizes. The past accomplishments of SLTI indicate the organization’s potential to carry out the requirements of any proposed project. The background and skill of SLTI’s employees and consultants ensure that the final products of every project are of high quality and that they will withstand the tests of time and operational implementation.

Corporate Resources

SLTI has considerable corporate resources at its headquarters in Rockville, MD, in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Much, although not all, of the work is done at the headquarters. Following are the address and contact numbers of our headquarters facility:

Second Language Testing, Inc.
6135 Executive Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 231-6046
Fax: (301) 232-9536
www.2LTI.com

The SLTI Rockville headquarters has over 3000 square feet of office space. The office is equipped with 19 computer stations, 4 rolling phone lines, laser and color inkjet printers, and a fax machine, all connected through a local area network (LAN). The server, which regularly backs up to an external hard drive, is powerful enough to service 75 users simultaneously. SLTI has a multi-layered computer security system that includes McAfee virus protection and firewall to prohibit unauthorized access to the LAN, a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN), a secure FTP site, and a secure SharePoint site for data storage and transfer. SharePoint is the latest in high-security file transfer and for working across organizations on common documents. SharePoint is used by US Government agencies, including the Department of Defense. In addition, SLTI has an IT specialist and a webmaster to further ensure technological security. SLTI also has internal and remote back-up procedures for all its data.

Available in the office are two photocopiers, two laser printers, a digital postage scale and meter, a shredder, and other standard office equipment. In addition, SLTI has an extensive library on language testing for internal use only, and several lockable storage cabinets to store secure testing materials and documents.

SLTI utilizes the up-to-date software in test development and translation projects, including Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Quark Xpress, etc.

Since our founding in 1994, our banking services have been handled by Bank of America and our insurance needs have been handled by the Steve Rose agency http://www.steverose.biz/
of State Farm Insurance. SLTI maintains a business liability policy and other appropriate insurance policies that protect the company, its employees and clients. We comply with all state and federal government requirements concerning taxes, benefits, insurance, and personnel regulations.

Since its founding, SLTI has made use of a small business accounting firm, Professional Business Management (PRM), http://www.pbmservicesinc.com/services.html. PBM monitors and advises us on in-house bookkeeping, HR and unemployment compensation matters, and financial reporting requirements. PBM compiles our quarterly financial reports and annual federal, state and local tax returns. Our financial condition is excellent.