Development of SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test), a Japanese Language Test

SPOT（简单表现导向测试）最初是由小林景子和丹羽纯子设计的，作为一种新设备，它允许不同水平的JSL（日语作为第二语言）学习者简单、快速和准确地进行测试。研究结果表明，SPOT是一种足够准确的方法来安置学生。SPOT由一段以日语为母语的人朗读一系列完整句子的录音组成，测试者一边听录音，一边在答题纸上朗读同样的日文句子。答题纸上的每句话都有一个空格，考生必须根据磁带填空。每个空白由一个平假名字符组成，它代表一个语法项目的全部或部分。本研究项目阐明了以下几点。1)对多个机构在不同情况下的试验结果进行了分析，结果表明SPOT评分具有较高的可靠性。（合作机构的数量超过50家，不仅包括日本，还包括美国、澳大利亚、韩国、印度尼西亚等）2)SPOT似乎不适合测试语言知识的每个离散点，也不适合测试读、听、写、说等每一种语言技能的熟练程度，而是对测试综合熟练程度或自然语速的处理能力有效。3)语音变化（音长、音高轮廓、元音或辅音的消音或弱化）与分数有很强的关系。4)研究表明，SPOT通过测量日语学习者的自动加工能力来对他们进行排名。SPOT是研究日语学习者语法习得过程和结果的一个很好的工具。

SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test) has been originally devised by Noriko Kobayashi and Junko Ford-Niwa as a new device that allows JSL(Japanese as a second language) learners at various levels to be placed simply, swiftly and accurately. The results of the research suggest that SPOT is a sufficiently accurate means to place students.SPOT consists of an audio taped recording of a native speaker reading a series of complete sentences, to which the testee listens while reading the same sentences in Japanese script on the answer sheet. Each sentence on the answer sheet contains a blank which the testee must fill in based on the tape. Each blank consists of a single hiragana character which represents all or part of a grammatical item.This research project has elucidated the following.1 )The results of trials at several institutions under different circumstances have been analyzed and the results show the score of the SPOT to be highly reliable. (The numbers of the co-operative institutions are more than 50, including not only those in Japan but also in USA, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, etc.)2) SPOT does not seem suitable for testing each discrete point of language knowledge, or the proficiency of each language skill such as reading, listening, writing and speaking, but is effective for testing integrated proficiency or processing ability in natural speed.3)The phonetic variations (duration, pitch contour, devoicing or weakening of vowels or consonants) of the sentences read in the SPOT have a strong relation with the score.4)The research suggests that SPOT ranks Japanese learners by measuring their automatic processing ability.5) SPOT would be a good instrument to investigate the process and outcome of grammar acquisition by Japanese Language learners.