National Evaluation Series™ Profile: Russian (831)

Content Domain VI: Oral Expression

Competency:

0014 In response to a given prompt, communicate an effective oral message in the target language for a given audience and purpose.

Descriptive Statements:

Address the purpose of the prompt fully through the use of well-developed and supported ideas.
Organize ideas in a logically sequenced, well-connected, and consistently clear fashion.
Use appropriate language and style for a specified audience, purpose, and occasion.
Demonstrate a comprehensive command of syntax and grammar as well as a broad range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, as appropriate.
Maintain a strong flow of speech, with few hesitations or pauses.
Demonstrate easily intelligible pronunciation.

Sample Item:

Sample Test Directions for the Oral Expression Assignment

For this section of the test, you will speak in response to an assignment presented on-screen.

At the conclusion of these directions, the test will automatically advance and the speaking assignment will be presented on the next screen. Listen to the directions carefully and review the assignment. You will have one minute to read the assignment and consider your response. When your preparation time is over, you will be notified that your preparation time is complete and you should be ready to begin speaking. Watch the screen as the test advances and a Recorded Answer box is presented. You will have two minutes to record your response. Do NOT begin speaking until the screen advances and you see the Recorded Answer box presented on-screen. A sample of the Recorded Answer box appears below.

Monitor your recording time by referring to the Recorded Answer box. The time in the Recorded Answer box will count down from 120 seconds (2 minutes) and the status bar will fill as your recording time progresses.

When your recording time is over, the current status on the Recorded Answer box will change to "Completed," indicating the conclusion of the oral expression assignment. You will automatically be advanced to the next screen. Do not click the Next button unless you have finished recording your response with time remaining and wish to move to the next screen. If you advance to the next screen with recording time remaining, you will not be able to go back.

You will be provided with a list of suggestions to help direct your response. It is not necessary that you address every point in the list, nor are you limited to the points mentioned. However, what you say must be relevant to the situation with which you are presented, and part of your score will be based on the degree to which you elaborate on the topic by addressing either the suggested points or points of your choosing.

You may use the erasable notebooklet provided to make notes; however, you will be scored only on the response that is recorded in the test.

Your response will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

CONTENT: the adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details

COHERENCE: the organization and clarity of the ideas communicated

GRAMMAR: the accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement)

VOCABULARY: the command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice

FLUENCY: the ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitations or pauses that affect the overall comprehensibility of the response

PRONUNCIATION: the comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress

You will have only ONE opportunity to record your response. Once the recording has begun, it cannot be stopped, nor can you re-record your response. Be sure that your microphone is in a downward position near your mouth before you begin speaking.

The screen will now advance and the speaking assignment will be presented.

Sample questions are provided in the Russian Sample Items PDF Document .

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