How to Test Speaking Skills in Japan

42 Part 2: How can we mark & administer speaking tests?

Pronunciation

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

Grammar accuracy

Fluency

Overall impression

Notice how 25% of the total score consists of an impressionistic overall assessment, while the remaining 75% is split up amongst three analytic constructs: pronunciation , grammar accuracy , and flu ency With these kinds of rubrics you’ll be able to mark students quickly and efficiently yet still be able to provide commentary on specific aspects of performance All that is needed for this rubric to really shine are some clear descriptions of each level of every con struct, a topic I’ll cover in the next chapter Another idea is to employ an analytic approach, but only focus on one construct per test In other words, your single mark will not be based on multiple as pects; rather, you will have one score based 100% on one thing— fluency , grammar accuracy , or whatever you decide In addition to making marking easier, this is an especially good way to learn how to assess various constructs without feeling overwhelmed You can take it easy, one construct at a time, until you build up your famil iarity with each one Then, when you feel up to it, you can combine several constructs into one test Because it should be easier to mark only one thing at a time, you can test more often, switching up your constructs as you go Okay, class, next week we’ll have a speaking test, and the main focus is active listening , so I really want you to practice those reaction expressions we’ve been learning …