Development of an English Speaking Test for International Communication

本文以建构有效的口语能力测验为目标，运用多特质多方法分析口语能力的构成要素。重点分析了九个特征（语音、语法、流利性、语篇、内容、词汇、会话能力、社会语言能力和可理解性）与三种方法（写作测试、面试）之间的关系。通过因素分析得到的三个因素分别对应于三种能力测量方法。直接口语交际能力（面试测试）中的9个特质成为直接口语交际能力（面试测试）的基本要素，但仍保持着自身的特点，是其他特质所无法替代的。通过性状间的相关系数，这种特质是明确的。半直接口语交际能力的九个特征也是如此。这九个特质作为因素结构要素发挥作用，但仍有其独特性，每个因素中的特质，尽管名称相同（语法、词汇、语篇等），但在三种方法中是独立起作用的，面试测试可以测量整体交际能力的一部分，而磁带测试可以测量整体交际能力的另一部分。每种方法的特点都可以很好地综合该方法所测得的能力，在未来的研究中，应该考虑到计算机自适应口语测试。

With the goal of making a construct valid test of speaking ability in mind, this paper examines the components of speaking ability using the Multi-Trait Multi-Method analysis. The focus is on the analysis of the relationships among nine traits (pronunciation, grammar, fluency, discourse, content, vocabulary, interactional competence, sociolinguistic competence, and comprehensibility) and three methods (writing test, interview. test, and tape-mediated speaking test).Three factors obtained from the factor analysis corresponds with three methods designed for measuring the ability. These three factors were named Direct Oral Communication Ability, Semi-Direct Oral Communication Ability, and Written Communication Ability individually according to the nature of each ability.Nine traits in Direct Oral Communication Ability (Interview test) contribute to become the fundamental elements of the factor while they still maintain their own characteristics which cannot be replaced by other traits. This idiosyncrasy was made clear through the inter-trait correlation coefficients. The same is true for the nine traits in Semi-Direct Oral Communication Ability. The nine traits function as factor construct elements but they still have their distinctiveness.The traits in each factor, even though they have the same naming (grammar, vocabulary, discourse etc), are working separately in the three methods.Interview tests could measure part of the whole communication ability, and tape tests could measure another part of the whole communication ability. The traits in each method can be a good composite of the ability the method is measuring.For future research, Computerized Adaptive Speaking Tests should be taken into consideration.