Biography

Dr. Elvis Wagner explores the teaching and testing of second language oral communicative competence. Currently, his primary research focus is an examination of how second language (L2) listeners process and comprehend unscripted, spontaneous spoken language, and how this type of language differs from the scripted spoken texts learners often encounter in the L2 classroom. He has written and published widely on these issues, including his article “Video Listening Tests: What are They Measuring?”, which won the International Language Testing Association’s “Best Article in Language Testing” award in 2008. Dr. Wagner’s research informs his teaching, both in the TESOL program and in the secondary education world languages program.

Research Interests

  • Assessment
  • Bilingual/Bicultural
  • Language Comprehension/Development

Courses Taught

Number

Name

Level

EDUC 0815

Language in Society

Undergraduate

EDUC 2306

Assessment and Evaluation

Undergraduate

EDUC 4389

Field Experience

Undergraduate

MGSE 4427

Curriculum and Methods of Foreign Language Education

Undergraduate

MGSE 4428

Innovations in Foreign Language Education

Undergraduate

MGSE 5427

Curriculum and Methods of Foreign Language Education

Graduate

MGSE 5428

Innovations in Foreign Language Education

Graduate

Selected Publications

  • Wagner, E. (2022). Chapter 7. L2 listening comprehension. In Understanding L2 Proficiency (pp. 213-233). John Benjamins Publishing Company. doi: 10.1075/bpa.13.07wag

  • Wagner, E., Liao, Y.F., & Wagner, S. (2021). Authenticated Spoken Texts for L2 Listening Tests. Language Assessment Quarterly, 18(3), pp. 205-227. doi: 10.1080/15434303.2020.1860057

  • Wagner, E. & Krylova, A. (2021). Temple University’s ITA Placement Test in Times of COVID-19. Language Assessment Quarterly, 18(1), pp. 12-16. doi: 10.1080/15434303.2020.1862849

  • Wagner, E. (2020). Duolingo English Test, Revised Version July 2019. Language Assessment Quarterly, 17(3), pp. 300-315. doi: 10.1080/15434303.2020.1771343

  • Wang, L. & Wagner, E. (2020). Washback of the college english test - band four on english teaching and learning in China. Journal of Asia TEFL, 17(4), pp. 1214-1235. doi: 10.18823/asiatefl.2020.17.4.4.1214

  • Liao, Y.F., Wagner, E., & Wagner, S. (2018). Test-Takers’ Attitudes and Beliefs About the Spoken Texts Used in EFL Listening Tests. English Teaching and Learning, 42(3-4), pp. 227-246. doi: 10.1007/s42321-018-0013-5

  • Ockey, G.J. & Wagner, E. (2018). Assessing L2 Listening., 50. doi: 10.1075/lllt.50

  • Wagner, E. (2018). Texts for Listening Instruction and Assessment., pp. 1-6. doi: 10.1002/9781118784235.eelt0626

  • Ockey, G.J. & Wagner, E. (2018). An overview of interactive listening as part of the construct of interactive and integrated oral test tasks. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 179-192). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c12

  • Wagner, E. & Ockey, G.J. (2018). An overview of the use of audio-visual texts on L2 listening tests. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 129-144). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c9

  • Ockey, G.J. & Wagner, E. (2018). An overview of the issue of using different types of speech varieties as listening inputs in L2 listening assessment. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 67-81). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c5

  • Wagner, E. & Ockey, G.J. (2018). An overview of the use of authentic, real-world spoken texts on L2 listening tests. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 13-28). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c2

  • (2018). Assessing L2 Listening: Moving Towards Authenticity. G.J. Ockey & E. Wagner (Eds.). (pp. 278-278). Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins Publishing Company. doi: 10.1075/lllt.50

  • Wagner, E. (2018). A comparison of L2 listening performance on tests with scripted or authenticated spoken texts. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 29-43). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.03wag

  • Wagner, E. & Ockey, G.J. (2018). Conclusion. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 247-273). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c16

  • Ockey, G.J. & Wagner, E. (2018). Introduction. In Language Learning and Language Teaching, 50 (pp. 1-10). doi: 10.1075/lllt.50.c1

  • Wagner, E. (2018). How Vocabulary Is LearnedStuart Webb and Paul Nation. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2017. Pp. xii + 322. TESOL Quarterly. doi: 10.1002/tesq.479