A Common Testing Framework for Measuring Spoken Language Skills of Non-Native Speakers

Abstract

A testing framework was developed to create automated spoken language tests in multiple languages. The tests built on this framework are delivered over a telephone and are automatically scored using a speech recognition engine and a computerized scoring system. With this testing system, a test can be administered in large volumes, completed in only 10-15 minutes, and scored very rapidly without sacrificing reliability or quality. The spoken English test and spoken Spanish test were built upon this common testing framework and are already in operation. Currently, a spoken Japanese test is under development. Data from the SET and SST will be presented to show how tests built on top of this common framework are both reliable and valid.