Raili Hilden

Raili Hilden is a Professor in language didactics (foreign languages) at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Education. Her core activities include research, teaching, and societal impact, with a focus on language assessment, particularly automated assessment of speaking in high-stakes contexts. She leads projects like 'AASIS' (Automatic assessment of spoken interaction in second language) and 'DigiTala', exploring digital tools for language assessment and teacher education. Hilden chairs the Language Section of the Finnish Matriculation Examination Board, influencing national assessment policies. Her research emphasizes teachers' assessment literacy and the integration of technology in education. She supervises doctoral and master’s students in language teaching and learning, and her work bridges academic research with practical educational reforms.

Key research interests include language assessment feedback mechanisms, automated speech recognition, and the impact of assessment on teaching practices. She collaborates with Scandinavian institutions and contributes to international conferences like EALTA. Her awards include the FIPLV International Award 2005 and the Kulturfonden för Sverige och Finland - Språkpriset 2004. Hilden also serves on national committees, such as the Finnish National Board of Education's language curriculum evaluations, ensuring equitable language education policies.

Recent articles highlight advancements in automated speaking assessment, including mobile applications with generative AI feedback and cross-linguistic comparisons of L2 proficiency. She advocates for gender-neutral assessment design and explores the role of visual elements in listening comprehension tests. Her work addresses both technical innovations and pedagogical implications, shaping the future of language education and assessment globally.