Test Information Guide
Field 28: Spanish
Oral Expression
The following materials contain:
- Sample test directions for the oral expression assignment
- A sample oral expression assignment
- A description of a strong response to the assignment
- The performance characteristics and scoring scale
Sample Test Directions for Oral Expression Assignments
For this portion of the test, you will record a spoken response to an assignment presented in English on-screen. You must respond to the assignment in the target language.
At the conclusion of these directions, the test will automatically advance and the speaking assignment will be presented on the next screen. Listen to the directions carefully and review the assignment. You will have one minute to review the assignment and prepare your response. When your preparation time is over, you will be notified that your preparation time is complete and you should be ready to begin speaking. Watch the screen as the test advances and the recording box is presented. You will have two minutes to record your response. Do NOT begin speaking until the screen advances and you see a Recorded Answer box presented on-screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.
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Monitor your recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time in the Recorded Answer box will count down from 120 seconds (2 minutes) and the status bar will fill as your recording time progresses.
When your recording time is over, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "completed," indicating the conclusion of the speaking assignment. You will automatically be advanced to the next screen. Do not click the Next button unless you have finished recording your response with time remaining and wish to move to the next screen. If you advance to the next screen with recording time remaining, you will not be able to go back.
You will be provided with a list of suggestions to help direct your response. It is not necessary that you address every point in the list, nor are you limited to the points mentioned. However, what you say must be relevant to the situation with which you are presented, and part of your score will be based on the degree to which you elaborate on the topic by addressing either the suggested points or points of your choosing.
Your response will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
- CONTENT: the adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details
- COHERENCE: the organization and clarity of the ideas communicated
- GRAMMAR: the accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement)
- VOCABULARY: the command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice
- FLUENCY: the ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitations or pauses that affect the overall comprehensibility of the response
- PRONUNCIATION: the comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress
You may use the erasable notebooklet provided to make notes; however, you will be scored only on the response that is recorded in the exam. You will have only ONE opportunity to record your response. Be sure that your microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before you begin speaking.
The screen will now advance and the speaking assignment will be presented.
Sample Oral Expression Assignment
(You will see on the screen and hear on the recording:)
Read the instructions below. You will have 1 minute to study these instructions and prepare your response, and then 2 minutes to record your final response. You will be told when the preparation time is over and the recording is about to begin. Begin studying the instructions and preparing your response now.
(You will hear on the recording:)
[1 minute of silence]
"Your preparation time is now over. At the conclusion of these directions, the screen will automatically advance and recording will automatically begin. Begin speaking when you see the Recorded Answer box presented on the next screen. Prepare to begin speaking now."
(You will see on the screen:)
Begin to respond in Spanish now. You may take up to 2 minutes to complete your response.
Imagine that you are talking with a Spanish-speaking friend. Your friend is considering beginning a new hobby or pastime. Speaking in Spanish, discuss hobbies and pastimes with your friend and offer your advice. You may wish to include, but are not limited to, the following:
- a description of hobbies or pastimes you enjoy;
- your advice to your friend about a hobby or pastime you think your friend would enjoy; and
- why you think this hobby or pastime is particularly appropriate for your friend.
Description of a Strong Response to the Oral Expression Assignment
A strong response to this assignment would address the topic of hobbies or pastimes fully and offer advice to a friend within the provided context in coherent, appropriate Spanish. Ideas presented should be bolstered by elaboration (specifying details, extended exploration of topics/assertions, relevant reasoning) that deepens them and fleshes out the response. The sequencing of ideas should be logical and transitions between ideas smooth. The oral language should be fluid and clear, with accurate pronunciation and a consistent flow of speech that displays facility with Spanish. Pauses in the response should be appropriate to the delivery of the content and not the result of uncertainty about the language itself or the inability to pronounce words or construct sentences. Ideas should be expressed with phrases and grammatical constructions that are true to the Spanish language and not imported from another language. A variety of relevant vocabulary words, expressions, verb tenses and moods, and syntactical constructions should be employed in order to render the response clear and precise. The response should be free from grammar and usage errors.
Scoring Rubric
Performance Characteristics
The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the oral expression assignment.
Content | Adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details. |
---|---|
Coherence | Organization and clarity of the ideas communicated. |
Grammar | Accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement). |
Vocabulary | Command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice. |
Fluency | Ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitations or pauses which affect the overall comprehensibility of the response. |
Pronunciation | Comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress. |
Scoring Scale
The scoring scale below, which is related to the performance characteristics for the tests, is used by scorers in assigning scores to responses to the oral expression assignment.
Score Point | Score Point Description |
---|---|
4 |
The "4" response reflects a thorough application and strong command of the performance characteristics for the
speaking assignment.
|
3 | The "3" response reflects an adequate application and satisfactory command of the performance characteristics for the
speaking assignment.
|
2 | The "2" response reflects a partial application and limited command of the performance characteristics for the speaking
assignment.
|
1 | The "1" response reflects an inadequate application and a lack of command of the performance characteristics for the
speaking assignment.
|
U | The response is unrelated to the assigned topic, inaudible/incomprehensible, not spoken in the required language, not of sufficient length to score, or merely a repetition of the assignment. |
B | There is no response to the assignment. |