ERIC Number: ED206152
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1980-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Some Thoughts on the Use of Interviews for Assessing Second-Language Proficiency.
Ricciardi, Joseph S.
Medium, v5 n3 p11-22 Sep 1980
Communicative competence in a given language is not guaranteed by competency in the understanding and use of linguistic structures. As part of the testing corpus of an individual's communicative competence in a second language, an oral proficiency interview may provide some insight into the individual's communicative ability in a variety of sociolinguistic situations. Caution is advised in the use of this method in terms of its predictive strength and the mechanics of its application. For an oral proficiency interview to function as a valid testing instrument, the entire range of problem areas that will be met in its application must be identified and addressed before the interview begins. In addition, the validity of the interview as an accurate judge of non-interview type oral language situations must also be ascertained before it is put into use. The best guides for the development of oral proficiency interviews are the speech acts characterizing the language use to be expected of individuals both in their work environment and with their peers. (Author/JK)
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Public Service Commission of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario). Language Training Branch.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A