Interactional Competence in a Paired Speaking Test: Features Salient to Raters

Autor/in	May, Lyn
Titel	Interactional Competence in a Paired Speaking Test: Features Salient to Raters
Quelle	In: Language Assessment Quarterly, 8 (2011) 2, S.127-145 (19 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1543-4303
Schlagwörter	Speech Communication; Language Tests; High Stakes Tests; Rating Scales; Communicative Competence (Languages); Scores; Evaluators; Recall (Psychology); Interpersonal Communication + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Language test; Sprachtest; Rating-Skala; Communicative competence; Languages; Kommunikative Kompetenz; Sprache; Abberufung; Interpersonale Kommunikation
Abstract	Paired speaking tests are now commonly used in both high-stakes testing and classroom assessment contexts. The co-construction of discourse by candidates is regarded as a strength of paired speaking tests, as candidates have the opportunity to display a wider range of interactional competencies, including turn taking, initiating topics, and engaging in extended discourse with a partner rather than an examiner. However, the impact of the interlocutor in such jointly negotiated discourse and the implications for assessing interactional competence are areas of concern. This article reports on the features of interactional competence that were salient to four trained raters of 12 paired speaking tests through the analysis of rater notes, stimulated verbal recalls, and rater discussions. Findings enabled the identification of features of the performance noted by raters when awarding scores for interactional competence and the particular features associated with higher and lower scores. A number of these features were seen by the raters as mutual achievements, which raises the issue of the extent to which it is possible to assess individual contributions to the co-constructed performance. The findings have implications for defining the construct of interactional competence in paired speaking tests and operationalizing this in rating scales. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10