Organizing talk in group speaking tests: learning from high-scoring students

Stephenson, Michael and Hall, Graham (2021) Organizing talk in group speaking tests: learning from high-scoring students. English Language Teaching Journal, 75 (1). pp. 42-54. ISSN 0951-0893

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccaa052

Abstract

This article investigates how group speaking test candidates manage group talk during assessed, time-limited tasks. Drawing on recorded and transcribed data, it explores how higher-scoring learners manage spoken assessment tasks through their talk, moving conversations on or slowing them down in order to perform and complete the tasks’ requirements in a timely way. This data is contrasted with the ways in which lower-scoring test candidates attempt to organise and manage assessed group talk. While the data and findings from this particular study can be used to teach students about, and prepare them for, multi-person discussions and, more specifically, task-oriented and time-limited group speaking tests, we also suggest that our awareness-raising investigatory approach, if brought into the classroom, offers learners (and teachers) a way of uncovering some of what actually occurs during talk, illuminating the ‘invisible rules’ that guide how participants engage in and manage interaction.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Education, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Language and Linguistics
Subjects: X200 Research and Study Skills in Education
X900 Others in Education
Department: Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Humanities
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 03 Jul 2020 11:04
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2022 08:00
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/43653

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