-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Scoring speaking tests: software?
Date: 	Fri, 17 Nov 2006 11:26:13 -0500
From: 	Judy Shoaf <[log in to unmask]>
To: 	llti <[log in to unmask]>



A number of instructors here have constructed elaborate speaking tests 
which involve a kind of dialogue between a prerecorded interlocutor and 
the student, with timed pauses for the students to respond.

I am trying to discourage this as it is very tricky to construct. Too 
long a pause, and the students may wait for their neighbors to answer 
and imitate them? Too short, and of course they don't have a chance to 
answer properly. It also mixes intensely speaking and listening skills, 
so that the student with poor listening skills will have little 
opportunity to show off actual speaking skills.

However, given the situation, is there a program (preferably free!) that 
will allow the instructors to open an audio file and see the recorded 
test so that they can locate precisely the student responses, for ease 
in scoring?

Judy Shoaf
University of Florida



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