This document discusses methods for assessing speaking ability. It outlines structured and observational approaches, with the structured approach involving tasks to evaluate specific oral skills and the observational approach unobtrusively observing natural speech. Rating systems can be holistic, providing an overall impression, or analytic, evaluating various communication aspects. Factors like linguistic competence, functional competence, and sociolinguistic competence are also discussed. The document provides details on testing speaking such as format, content, performance conditions, stimulus, timing, scoring, and considers valid assessment formats. Principles of assessment speaking are outlined related to reliability, validity, practicality, authenticity, approach, and wash back.

1. ASSESSIN
G
SPEAKING

2. Methods of Assessing Speaking
Structured Approach Observational Approach
-Perform one or more - Student’s behavior is
specific oral observed and assessed
communication tasks unobtrusively
- Performance is
evaluated
-Communicate meaningful content to real audience
- Tasks should focus on topics students can easily talk about

3. Rating Systems for Structured and
Observational Approaches
Holistic Rating Analytic Rating
- General impression of - Capture the student's
the performance performance on various
- Primary trait score aspects of
assesses the student's communication
ability to achieve a
specific communication
purpose

4. Language Structures
Linguistic Competence
Uses grammar accurately with variety? Adequate vocabulary?
Clear pronunciation?
Functional Competence
Answers the question completely and logically?
Strategic Competence
Can use repair strategies when conversation breaks down?
Sociolinguistic/ Cultural Competence
Uses language appropriate to the situation?

5. Testing Speaking
Format Will an interactive or solo format be
used?
Will the topic material to be used old
Content or new? What language functions,
forms and structures will be assessed?
Will the performance be rehearsed or
Performance
impromptu? Will it be live or taped?

6. How many students will there be to a
group? How many groups will there
Partnering/ be? How will the pairs/groups be
Grouping and formed? How will the sequence of
Sequencing presentation be determined-drawing
lots, volunteering or naming?
Will the stimulus be oral, written or
Stimulus non-verbal? Will the stimulus be
presented in cue cards or on tape?
Time and When and where will the test be held?
Place How long will the testing be?

7. What scoring procedure will be used –
Scoring impressionistic, holistic or analytical?
Which instrument will be used?
Language How much oral language is each testee
sample expected to produce? How many
size utterances or sentences is deemed a
reasonable basis for rating?

8. Valid Formats
1. Spoken Essay/ Verbal Essay
2. Free vs. Controlled Interview
3. Information Transfer Techniques
3. 1. Description of a Picture Sequence
3. 2. Questions on a Single Picture
4. Interaction Tasks
4.1. Information Gap (Student-to-Student)
4. 2. Information Gap (Student-to-Examiner)
5. Role Play

9. Sample Assessment for Speaking Activities
Extensive Speaking Responsive Speaking Giving Instructions and
Directions
-Picture-cued story telling - Question and answer - Question and answer
- Retelling a story or news
event
Test of Spoken English Interactive Speaking Interview
• Categories -Interpersonal tasks -Oral proficiency interview
-Give a opinion - Interview
- Describe something - Role play
• Specific Tasks - Discussions
-Give an opinion about - Conversations
(specific topic) - Games
- Giving a personal direction
- Defining a technical term

10. Construct-Related Evidence
Criterion-Related Evidence
Reliability
Content-Related Evidence
Practicality Validity
Principles of Assessment Speaking
Approach Wash Back
Authenticity