Study Guide
Field 121: German
Sample Presentational Speaking Assignment
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The following materials contain:
- General test directions
- Test directions for the presentational speaking assignment
- A sample presentational speaking assignment and strong response characteristics
- Performance characteristics and scoring scale
General Test Directions
This test consists of four sections. Directions for each section appear immediately before the section.
Test Directions for the Presentational Speaking Assignment
[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold 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 start bold German end bold 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 two minutes 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. start bold You will have two minutes to record your response. end bold Do start uppercase NOT end uppercase 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 start bold Next end bold 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 topics to help direct your response to the assignment. You must address every topic on the list, but you are not limited in your response to only the points mentioned. However, your response must be relevant to the assignment, and part of your score will be based on the degree to which you elaborate by addressing the required topics and any other points of your choosing.
You may use the erasable notebooklet provided to make notes; however, start bold you will be scored only on the response that is recorded in the test. end bold
Your response to the oral expression assignment will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
start bold CONTENT: end bold adequacy of the information presented, including the number of ideas, the development of ideas, and the depth and specificity of supporting details
start bold COHERENCE: end bold organization and clarity of ideas communicated
start bold GRAMMAR: end bold accuracy of grammatical and syntactic constructions (e.g., conjugation of verbs, appropriate use of tenses, subject/pronoun and article/noun agreement)
start bold VOCABULARY: end bold command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions and appropriateness of word choice
start bold FLUENCY: end bold ability to maintain a flow of speech, without hesitation or pauses which affect the overall comprehensibility of the response
start bold PRONUNCIATION: end bold 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 start bold and uppercase ONE end bold and uppercase 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:]
start bold Read the assignment below. You will have 2 minutes 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. end bold
[You will see the assignment on the screen, with 2 minutes 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:]
start bold Begin to respond in German now. You may take up to 2 minutes to complete your response. end bold
[You will see on the screen for 2 minutes: the assignment, the Recorded Answer box counting down, and the line of text below.]
start bold start uppercase DO NOT end uppercase click the Next button unless you have finished recording your response. end bold
Sample Presentational Speaking Assignment
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Presentational Speaking
[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold During the test, you will hear and see on-screen the directions below (for complete test directions to this assignment, see above):]
start bold Read the assignment below. You will have 2 minutes to study the assignment 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 assignment and preparing your response now. end bold
Imagine that you have just met Frau Hartmann, a teacher from a German-speaking country who is on a two-week visit to the area where you live. You wish to give her an orientation to the local area to help make her visit as enjoyable as possible. Speaking in German, leave a message on her voice mail in which you provide her with information about the area that will help to make her visit as enjoyable as possible. In your message, you start bold must end bold include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- where she could find various essential items and locations (e.g., stores and restaurants in the area);
- the best means of transportation available (e.g., buses, trains, taxis, subways) and how to use them; and
- a description of an interesting tourist attraction (e.g., museums, parks, monuments) and why she might like it.
Strong Response Characteristics for the Presentational Speaking Assignment
A strong response to this assignment would thoroughly fulfill the purpose of the assignment and fully address the topic of providing practical information about a place to a visiting teacher to help make her visit enjoyable. The information provided should include details about where to find various essential items and locations, the best means of transportation available, and a description of an interesting local tourist attraction. Ideas presented should be well developed and elaborated, logically sequenced, well connected through appropriate cohesive devices and expressions, and consistently clear.
The response should demonstrate comprehensive command of syntax and grammar, containing only minor errors that do not interfere with the comprehensibility of ideas. The response should use a variety of verb tenses and syntactical constructions. The response should demonstrate extensive command of appropriate vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
A strong response would be delivered with a strong flow of speech with few, if any, hesitations or pauses. Pauses in the response should be consistent with the message being delivered and not caused by uncertainty about vocabulary or sentence construction. The German pronunciation would be accurate and easily intelligible with few, if any, errors that do not interfere with communication or distract the listener from the message.
Performance Characteristics for the Presentational Speaking Assignment
The following characteristics guide the scoring of responses to the presentational speaking assignment.
Scoring Scale for the Presentational Speaking Assignment
Scores will be assigned to each response to the presentational speaking assignment according to the following scoring scale.