Study Guide
Field 022: Russian
Sample Oral Expression Assignment
The following materials contain:
- General test directions
- Test directions for the oral expression assignment
- A sample oral expression assignment and strong response characteristics
- Performance characteristics and scoring scale
General Test Directions
This test consists of five sections. Directions for each section appear immediately before the section.
Test Directions for the Oral Expression Assignment
[Note to examinee: These test directions are provided here to familiarize you with the directions you will see on the actual test. They may refer to features whose functionality is not enabled in this study guide. You will hear and see on the screen:]
For this section of the test, you will record a spoken response in the target language 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 review the assignment and prepare 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 speaking 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 on 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 to the oral expression assignment will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
CONTENT: adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details
COHERENCE: organization and clarity of ideas communicated
GRAMMAR: accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement)
VOCABULARY: command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice
FLUENCY: ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitation or pauses which affect the overall comprehensibility of the response
PRONUNCIATION: comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress
Be sure to speak about the assigned topic. You may not use any reference materials during the test.
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.
[You will hear and see on the screen:]
Read the instructions below. You will have 1 minute to study these instructions and prepare your response, and then 2 minutes to record your final response. You will be told when the preparation time is over and the recording is about to begin. Begin studying the instructions and preparing your response now.
[You will see the assignment on the screen, with 1 minute of dead air recorded. Then you will hear:]
“Your preparation time is now over. At the conclusion of these directions, the screen will automatically advance and recording will automatically begin. Begin speaking when you see the Recorded Answer box presented on the next screen. Prepare to begin speaking now.”
[You will see on the screen:]
Begin to respond in Russian now. You may take up to 2 minutes to complete your response.
[You will see on the screen for 2 minutes: the assignment, the Recorded Answer box counting down, and the line of text below.]
DO NOT click the Next button unless you have finished recording your response.
Sample Oral Expression Assignment
Competency 0014–In response to a prompt, construct connected oral discourse in Russian that communicates a message effectively and that demonstrates command of a range of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and simple and complex language structures.
[Note to examinee: During the test, you will hear and see on-screen the directions below (for complete test directions to this assignment, see above):]
Read the instructions below. You will have 1 minute to study these instructions and prepare your response, and then 2 minutes to record your final response. You will be told when the preparation time is over and the recording is about to begin. Begin studying the instructions and preparing your response now.
Imagine that you have just met Ms. Gurevich, a teacher from a Russian-speaking country who is on a two-week visit to the area where you live. You wish to give Ms. Gurevich an orientation to the local area to help make her visit as enjoyable as possible. Speaking in Russian, provide Ms. Gurevich with information about the area that will help ensure that her visit is as pleasant as possible. You may wish to include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- where to find various essential items (e.g., stores and restaurants in the area);
- the different means of transportation available (e.g., buses, trains, taxis, subways) and how to use them;
- descriptions of interesting tourist attractions (e.g., museums, parks, monuments).
Strong Response Characteristics for the Oral Expression Assignment
An excellent response to the assignment would address the assigned topic and develop it by extensive elaboration of specific points. The response would be delivered in a consistently clear manner. The examinee would speak fluently, using a variety of sentences. The examinee's vocabulary would show mastery of a broad vocabulary including appropriate idiomatic expressions. The examinee would handle simple and complex linguistic constructions, avoiding errors that interfere with communication. The speaker would exhibit good to excellent pronunciation and intonation.
Performance Characteristics for the Oral Expression Assignment
The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the oral expression assignment.
CONTENT | adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details |
---|---|
COHERENCE | organization and clarity of ideas communicated |
GRAMMAR | accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement) |
VOCABULARY | command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice |
FLUENCY | ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitation or pauses which affect the overall comprehensibility of the response |
PRONUNCIATION | comprehensibility of articulation and the appropriateness of stress |
Scoring Scale for the Oral Expression Assignment
Scores will be assigned to each response to the oral expression assignment according to the following scoring scale.
Score Point | Score Point Description |
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4 |
The "4" response reflects a thorough application and strong command of the performance characteristics for the speaking assignment.
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3 | The "3" response reflects a general application and command of the performance characteristics for the speaking assignment.
|
2 | The "2" response reflects a partial application and limited command of the performance characteristics for the speaking assignment.
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1 | The "1" response reflects a weak application and little or no command of the performance characteristics for the speaking assignment.
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U | The response is unrelated to the assigned topic, inaudible/incomprehensible, not spoken in the required language, not of sufficient length to score, or merely a repetition of the assignment. |
B | There is no response to the assignment. |