 English Language Proficiency Testing Information
General Questions
Do I need to satisfy the English language proficiency
requirement in order to receive an appointment as a GSI?
Which test satisfies the language proficiency requirement?
What courses are offered for prospective GSIs who
do not speak English as a native language?
Should I sign up for a Language Proficiency Program
course?
SPEAK test
What is the SPEAK test?
How do I sign up for the SPEAK test?
What will my SPEAK results mean?
What is the SPEAK test experience like?
What else should I know about the SPEAK?
If I don't finish an answer, or have extra time left
and have nothing more to say, will I receive a low score on the SPEAK?
Should I take the test as soon as my plane gets in?
Can I practice the test?
Who rates SPEAKs and how are they rated?
If I know I did badly on the test, can I retake it again
right away?
Oral Proficiency Test (OPT)
What is the OPT?
When should I take the OPT?
How do I get an OPT appointment?
What will my OPT results mean?
What should
I do if I do not pass the OPT? Can I enroll
in Lan Pro 100A and take the OPT during the semester? If I do not
pass the OPT, can I take the SPEAK test?
 Do I need to satisfy
the English language proficiency requirement in order to receive an appointment
as a GSI?
Fill out the Language Proficiency Questionnaire to find out.
Which test satisfies the language proficiency requirement?
The speaking section of the internet-based
TOEFL (TOEFL iBT), taken within the last two years. This score is used to determine fulfillment of the oral proficiency screening requirement. If you need to take another test on campus, you will be directed to sign up for either the SPEAK test or the Oral Proficiency test (OPT) after you submit the Language Proficiency Questionnaire. What courses are offered for prospective GSIs who do not speak English as a native language? Answer Should I sign up for a Language Proficiency
Program course? Answer What is the SPEAK test?
The SPEAK test is an oral proficiency
test that measures how well you understand and express yourself in spoken
English. In the test, your responses to questions that you hear are recorded.
The responses are then rated by trained evaluators. How do I sign up for the SPEAK test?
If, based on your responses to the Language Proficiency Questionnaire we determine you need to take the SPEAK test, you will receive an email message with instructions to sign up online.
What will my SPEAK results mean?
If you receive a score of 50
or above ("Pass"), you may complete your application for a GSI
position. If you score 40 or 45, you may demonstrate readiness to assume
GSI duties by passing the Oral Proficiency Test (OPT). (See information
on the OPT below.) If your score on the SPEAK test falls below 40, you
must enroll in a Language Proficiency Program course and take the OPT
at the end of the semester. Once you have passed the OPT, you may complete
your application for a GSI appointment. What is the SPEAK test experience like?
When you take the SPEAK test,
you will be in a language-lab environment, speaking into a microphone,
in front of a computer. There will be other people in the room taking
the test at the same time. When you practice the test, keep in mind this
environment, which is different from speaking to a person, or practicing
in a quiet room alone. back
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What else should I know about the SPEAK?
There is a time limit for each
response, clearly marked in the test book. It may help to practice with
a stopwatch. back
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If I don't finish an answer, or have
extra time left and have nothing more to say, will I receive a low score
on the SPEAK?
Not necessarily. If you address
the question well and run out of time, this will not affect your score.
If you have extra time, but have answered completely, again, this will
not affect your score. Should I take the test as soon as my
plane gets in?
We recommend that you give yourself
at least 2 days after flying a long distance before taking the SPEAK.
Fatigue and jet lag can have an adverse effect on your ability to do well. Can I practice the test?
Not only can you practice,
you should practice. Even if you feel your oral skills are good,
you should practice. This type of test has a particular format which may
be unfamiliar. Being familiar with the SPEAK test format makes it more
likely you will be able to demonstrate the extent of your proficiency.
Practicing will help you feel more comfortable on the day of the test.
You can practice by
- Using the SPEAK test practice materials at the Berkeley Language Center
(BLC) on campus. The SPEAK Practice Test is available in the computer
lab in B-21 Dwinelle Hall. You should check the BLC schedule to find
out what the lab hours are. When you are in the computer labs, follow the
posted instructions to log on (Username: student, etc.). Then click
on the "Languages" folder; then click on "SPEAK Practice
Test."
- Reading and listening to the SPEAK practice test on reserve at the
Moffitt Library Media Center, Room 150 Moffitt Library (bottom floor).
- Consulting the book Toward Speaking Excellence, The Michigan Guide
to Maximizing your Performance on the TSE Test & SPEAK Test
by Dean Papajohn, 2nd ed. (Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 2005).
This guide is on reserve at the Engineering Library in 110 Bechtel Engineering
Center (call numbers: PE1128.P264 2005; PE1128.P264 2005 c.2), and can also
be checked out at the GSI Teaching & Resource Center in 301 Sproul
Hall.
Who rates SPEAKs and how are they rated?
The SPEAK test is rated by qualified and trained
language specialists. Each test is rated by at least two different raters,
who do not know the score that the other rater has given to your test. The
test is rated not only for pronunciation, but for how well you address
the question. The table below shows the SPEAK score levels assigned by test raters:
SCALE |
DESCRIPTION |
60 |
Communication almost always effective |
55 |
|
50 |
Communication generally effective |
45 |
|
40 |
Communication somewhat effective |
35 |
|
30 |
Communication generally not effective |
25 |
|
20 |
No effective communication |
Reprinted with permission of Educational Testing Service the copyright owner. No endorsement of this website by ETS should be inferred.
If I know I did badly on the test, can
I retake it again right away?
Unfortunately, you can only
take the SPEAK test once every 2 years. Therefore, it is important to
practice, to ensure you do your best.
What is the OPT?
The Oral Proficiency Test (OPT)
is a videotaped oral English proficiency test administered on an individual
basis. During the OPT, test takers perform the following activities in
a classroom setting:
- Meet one or more UCB undergraduate students who will play the role
of students in a discussion section or lab class.
- Play the role of a GSI in presenting some course-related information;
answer questions posed by the undergraduates.
- Present prepared materials from their disciplines; answer questions
posed by the undergraduates.
- Respond to questions posed by the test administrator.
In order to take the OPT you need to first read thoroughly the OPT orientation materials. You can request an OPT appointment after you have read the orientation materials. Instructions on how to request an OPT appointment are included in the OPT orientation materials.
When
should I take the OPT?
If you received
a score of 22 to 25 on the TOEFL iBT, or a score of 40 or 45 on the SPEAK
test or TSE, within two years of your application for a GSI appointment,
you may take the OPT to demonstrate your oral English proficiency for
the screening requirement.
Please consult the list of key deadlines in the testing program. back
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How do I get an OPT appointment?
If, based on your responses to the Language Proficiency Questionnaire we determine you need to take the OPT, you will receive an email message that instructs you first to read the online OPT orientation materials. You can request an OPT appointment after you have read the OPT Orientation information. Instructions on how to request an OPT appointment are included in the OPT orientation information.
back
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What will my OPT results
mean?
Oral Proficiency Tests administered
at UC Berkeley are evaluated by professional English as a Second Language
(ESL) specialists. The rating scale for the OPT
is based on nationally recognized standards on oral English proficiency
and goes from 0 (low) to 4 (high). Each test is evaluated in the areas
of pronunciation, speech flow, grammar, vocabulary, organization, listening
comprehension, and question handling.
back
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should I do if I do not pass the OPT?
If
you do not receive a passing score on the OPT, you should consider enrolling
in a Language Proficiency Program course
to work on improving your oral English skills before you take the test
again. Students enrolled in the Language Proficiency Program courses
will be scheduled to re-take the OPT at the end of the semester.
If
you do not take a Language Proficiency Program course, you must wait
a minimum of six months to take the OPT again.
back
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I enroll in Lan Pro 100A and take the OPT during the semester?
Students
who enroll in the class must complete the course before taking the OPT
at the end of the semester. Students who have the option of either enrolling
in Lan Pro 100A or taking the OPT must choose one or the other option.
back
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I do not pass the OPT, can I take the SPEAK test?
Once
students have taken the OPT, any further testing on the Berkeley campus will be done with the
OPT.
back
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Last update:
3/14/12 |
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