The Development and Validation of a Simulated Oral Profiency Interview

The Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI) is a tape-mediated method of assessing speaking ability that elicits speech samples that may be rated according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. The SOPI is distinguished from previously developed semidirect tests of speaking by its combination of three characteristics: (1) format, which is similar to that of the oral proficiency interview (OPI); (2) the use of both aural & visual stimuli in eliciting speech samples; & (3) scoring, which is according to ACTFL Guidelines. The Indonesian Speaking Test (IST) is an example of SOPIs that have been developed to date. IST components consist of the master tape, test booklet, & examinee response tape. The IST consists of five parts: personal conversation, giving direction, picture sequence narration, topical discourse, & situational discourse. The test development process involved local & external test development committees as well as two language consultants. Test review & trialing provided data used to modify the final version of the IST. A validation study (N = 16 Indonesian learners) of the IST investigated the extent to which the IST had reached its goals of providing a test that can be reliably rated using the ACTFL/FLIR scale & can be used as a surrogate for the OPI. Results gathered from correlational & generalizability theory approaches indicate that the IST can be scored reliably by different raters, that the two IST forms are interchangeable, & that SOPIs produce the same score as a face-to-face interview. 13 Tables, 18 References. AA