VITA

Cynthia Pearce Taskesen

9686 Scotch Haven Drive
Vienna, VA 22181
(703) 938-5081
ctaskese@gmu.edu
EDUCATION
George Mason University
PhD, Education
Research Methodology, Educational Psychology
Research Interests: Measurement of Language Proficiency
University of California, Los Angeles
Coursework in PhD in Education program,
Social Research Methodology Division

Expected 2016

Qualifying exams, 1997

University of California, Los Angeles

MA, Teaching English as a Second Language

1987

University of California, Los Angeles

BA, Music

1983

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Director for Testing
Defense Language and National Security Education Office

5/2010 to present

Language Training Supervisor, Turkic Languages Section

School of Language Studies, Foreign Service Institute, Dept. of State

3/2008-5//2010

Survey and Research Specialist, Research, Evaluation and Development Office,

School of Language Studies, Foreign Service Institute, Dept. of State
8/2004-3/2008
Language Analyst, Language Services Section
Federal Bureau of Investigation

3/2003 8/2004

Applied Linguist, Language Services Section

Federal Bureau of Investigation

11/1999 3/2003

Language Testing Specialist, Language Services Section,

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Curriculum Vita: Cynthia Pearce Taskesen

Federal Bureau of Investigation

4/1998 11/1999

Assistant Professor and ESL Director, English Department

Biola University, La Mirada, CA

9/1991 5/1994

Testing Coordinator, English Preparatory School

Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

8/1987 6/1990

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Taskesen, C.P. & Kaht, E.T. (April, 2009) Awareness of Tolerance of Ambiguity. Paper
presented at the American Association of Applied Linguistics, Denver, Colorado.
Taskesen, C.P. (March,1998). Analytic vs. holistic rating of an ESL composition placement
exam: A validation study. Paper presented at the Language Testing Research Colloquium,
Monterey, California.
Pearce, C. (March,1988). Speaking tests for advanced learners how do they compare? Paper
presented at the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Convention, Chicago, Illinois.
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Taskesen, C.P. & Kaplan, M. (April, 2008). Teaching the older language learner. Staff
Development Workshop, Foreign Service Institute, Arlington, Virginia.
Taskesen, C. P. & Nelson, R. (June, 2007). Distance language learning: Assessing impact and
effectiveness. Interagency Language Roundtable Showcase, George Washington University.
Taskesen, C.P. (June, 2007). Action research: Finding out what first time language learners need.
Interagency Language Roundtable Showcase, George Washington University.
Taskesen, C.P. (October, 2002). Testing language proficiency at higher levels. National
Conference on Heritage Languages in America, Tysons Corner, Virginia.
Pearce, C. L. (November, 1988) Speaking tests for use in preparatory schools. Testing English in
Higher Education Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.
Pearce, C. L. (May, 1988). Testing a juggling act. Second National Preparatory School
Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
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Curriculum Vita: Cynthia Pearce Taskesen

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Interagency Language Roundtable Testing Subcommittee
Foreign Language Executive Committee Testing and Assessment Experts Group

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