SPEAK Test FAQsFrequently Asked Questions about the SPEAK test at The University of Arizona
SPEAK Test FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the SPEAK test at The University of Arizona
Why do I have to take the SPEAK Test?
What is the SPEAK Test?
Who is required to take the SPEAK test?
What do I need to do to register for the SPEAK test?
When do I get the results?
What do the scores mean?
How often can I retake the SPEAK test?
Is there a charge or fee?
When can I take the SPEAK test?
Can I test on a day or time that is not listed?
When and how can I get my score?
What is the exam procedure for the SPEAK Test Part 2, and how long does it take?
Can I see a sample of the SPEAK Test Part 2?
Can I use my SPEAK score from another university?
What score is required for me to be eligible to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant?
What are the dates for the SPEAK test Part 1?
Where do I go for the SPEAK test Part 1?
Undergraduates at public and private research universities nationwide frequently complain about their daily struggle to understand the heavily accented English of ITAs (Penner, 1997; Young, 1990). Based upon regulations by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), The University of Arizona Graduate College policies listed in the Graduate Assistantship/Associateships Hiring Manual state that
[a]ll GATs engaged in direct student contact who are from countries where English is not considered a first language and/or who are not citizens of the U.S. or Permanent Residents must demonstrate minimum proficiency with spoken English. Verification of a passing score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), administered by the Educational Testing Service or the SPEAK test available through the University Teaching Center at the University of Arizona, is required before the student's hiring paperwork will be processed by Systems Control.
Thus, the University of Arizona has set a number of regulations and guidelines for ITA testing, hiring and training, and the University Teaching Center in its commitment to teaching excellence uses the TSE/SPEAK Test in order to assess international students' ability to communicate orally in English. Moreover, the University Teaching Center has developed the College Teaching for ITAs course (GRAD. 697 D) to help prepare the ITAs for their various roles in classes, labs, or discussion sessions. The main goals of the program are to develop ITAs' teaching and communication skills so that the ITAs may be better understood by their students, and assist ITAs in bridging their personal cultural differences. We also offer a pronunciation course for ITAs (Grad 697E).
At the University of Arizona , the SPEAK test is comprised of two parts:
Part 1: an interview. All future ITAs take Part 1 of the test (one-on-interview with the test administrator) regardless of students' English proficiency - no preparation is required for Part 1;
Part 2: a tape-recorded oral examination that lasts approximately 20 minutes (total testing time from check-in to completion is about 40 minutes). Part 2 of the test is the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE) Test. (click here to see a sample test
for Part 2).
Any UA International Graduate student who wishes to be a Teaching Assistant and who comes from a country where English is not considered a first language must take the SPEAK test. To qualify for a TA position, the prospective ITA must receive a SPEAK or TSE score of 50 or higher.
1.1 Candidate obtains permission slip filled out by his/her department;
1.2 Candidate registers for the SPEAK test using the online registration form, and a $60 fee for the SPEAK Test is charged to the candidate's bursar's account;
1.3 Candidate takes the permission slip, online registration printout, and a photo ID to the Cottonwood Room (in the Student Union, 3rd floor, across from the Redington Room Restaurant) between 8-9:30 am on the date for which he or she registered to take Part 1 of the SPEAK test. All future ITAs take Part 1 of the SPEAK Test (one-on-interview with the test administrator) regardless of students' English proficiency;
1.4 Candidates who do not pass Part 1 of the test will be instructed to take Part 2 of the SPEAK Test (a 20-minute audiotaped test) offered in the afternoon of some of the dates listed on this memo. *dates will be available as needed* [see sample test].
Results for the SPEAK Test are all posted on SIS 221, and candidates should check for their test results with their departments:
- For the students who pass Part 1 of the SPEAK, the results will be available in the afternoon of the day when they take the test.
- For the students who also need to take Part 2 of the SPEAK, the results will be available within 5 business days of the day when they take the test.
The lowest score is 20, and the highest score is 60. Scores are reported in 5-point increments. Assessments about responses are made considering the following categories:
Functional competence: the speaker's ability to select functions to reasonably address the task and to select the language needed to carry out the function (functions are the purposes of communication: giving directions, arguing, apologizing, etc.).
Sociolinguistic competence: the speaker's ability to demonstrate an awareness of audience and situation by selecting language, register (level of formality), and tone that are appropriate.
Discourse competence: the speaker's ability to develop and organize information in a coherent manner, and to make effective use of cohesive devices (conjunctions, transition markers, order markers) to help the listener follow the organization of the response.
Linguistic competence: the effective selection of vocabulary (including proper word forms), control of grammatical structures, and accurate pronunciation, along with smooth delivery, in order to produce intelligible speech.
The following is a general description of the abilities at each 10-point score level:
60 |
The speaker understood the question and answered appropriately. The rater could receive and understand the answer with little effort (native-like efficacy, effective; not necessarily error-free). |
50 |
The speaker understood the question and answered appropriately. The rater could receive and understand the answer with reasonable listening effort. The rater may have a question about the response (near-native efficacy, generally effective). |
40 |
Communication breaks down or the speaker's answer was not appropriate to the question. The rater understood the basic idea of the answer but not all the details, or there were several gaps in receiving and it would take considerable effort, visual support, or questioning to feel that all the necessary information was exchanged (somewhat effective). One-on-one communication is probably most effective, but communication to groups will be less effective. |
30 |
The rater catches only words and an occasional idea. The speaker's frequent re-starts, hesitations, and inappropriate pacing or pausing make it extremely difficult to understand. It is not clear what the function of the response was (not very effective). |
20 |
The individual did not give a response, or the individual's response was not intelligible. The rater had no idea what the function of the response was (not effective). |
Eligible UA students can retake the SPEAK test once a semester provided that they have taken the GRAD 697D class, GRAD 697E, or a CESL/ESL class.
Please note that proof of completion of classes (GRAD 697 D, GRAD 697 E, or CESL/ESL classes) will be required if the candidate wants to retake the SPEAK test. No exceptions will be made!
There is a $ 60 fee charge for this test (which the students will be charged for, but their departments may opt to pay the fee for them by using the Student Scholarship Authorization Form (SSAF).
You may register to take the test on any of the time still open on the online registration system. (Click here for dates).
Since the test is offered 22 times throughout the year, there are no other dates available.
Results for the SPEAK Test are all posted on SIS 221, and you should check for your test results with your department:
*For the students who pass Part 1 of the test, the results will be available in the afternoon of the day when they take the test.
*For the students who also need to take Part 2, the results will be available within 5 business days of the day when they take the test.
Length of Test: The actual test is about 20 minutes long, and consists of 12 questions. Check-in and closing instructions take about another 15 minutes. You should arrive at the exam location about 5-10 minutes before your scheduled exam time. So you should plan on about 40 minutes total for this test.
Photo ID Required : At check-in, you must present your completed information form and a photo ID, preferably your UA student ID. A passport or driver's license is also acceptable. No Photo ID = No Examination. There are no exceptions to the photo ID requirement.
No Other Materials Needed: Other than the information form and photo ID, you do not need to bring any other materials to the test.
Test Environment : Many students are tested simultaneously in the laboratory. You will be given a test booklet and you will listen to recorded questions. The questions and the amount of time that you have to answer them are printed in your test booklet.
All of your responses will be recorded.
Here is a example of Part 2 of the SPEAK Test. The actual questions on the test will not be these exact questions.
Scores from SPEAK tests given at another institution are not accepted. Likewise, other institutions that are not located in Arizona will not accept a SPEAK score from the University of Arizona (exceptions: Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University).
The U.A. approved guidelines are as follows:
50 or higher - ITA is approved for Teaching Assistantship with unlimited student contact;
45 - ITA is approved for TAship as a grader and/or to teach his/her native language;
40 or below - ITA is NOT eligible for a TAship.
If the candidate does not meet the U.A. required English oral proficiency level on the SPEAK test, he/she will have to register for classes to improve his/her oral skills before he/she is allowed to retake the SPEAK test.
If he/she scores 40 or above, he/she should sign up for the GRAD 697 D course - (College Teaching for ITAs) and take the teaching audition at completion of the course in lieu of retaking the SPEAK test. Please note that if there is a schedule conflict and he/she cannot take GRAD 697 D, the student may opt to take approved, evening English classes at CESL, and then retake the SPEAK test. Please check with the Graduate College for the appropriate CESL classes.
If he/she scores less than 40, he/she will have to sign up for English classes at CESL or any other place that offers ESL classes.
* Please note that proof of completion of classes (GRAD 697 D, GRAD 697 E, or CESL/ESL classes) will be required if the candidate wants to retake the SPEAK test.
No exceptions will be made!
If you have questions about the SPEAK test, please contact the test administrator deptadmn@email.arizona.edu.
(one-on-interview with the test administrator)
SPRING/SUMMER 2008
Jan 07, 2008 (Monday) Jan 08, 2008 (Tuesday) Jan 11, 2008 (Friday) Jan 15, 2008 (Tuesday) Jan 31, 2008 (Thursday) May 13 , 2008 (Tuesday) June 06, 2008 (Friday)
On the day of the exam, go to the Cottonwood Room, in the Student Union, 3rd floor, across from the Redington Room Restaurant) between 8-9:30 am
| a | Palo Verde Room | h | Sabino Room |
| b | Cottonwood Room | i | San Pedro Room |
| c | Mesquite Room | j | Santa Cruz Room |
| d | Picacho Room | k | Kachina Lounge |
| e | Madera Room | l | Ocotillo Room |
| f | Pima Room | m | Cholla Room |
| g | Mesa Room |