Recent research has shown that a properly designed ASRbased CALL system (Dutch-CAPT) was capable of detecting pronunciation errors and of providing comprehensible feedback on pronunciation. Since pronunciation is not the only skill required for speaking a second language, we explored the possibility of extending the Dutch-CAPT approach to other aspects of speaking proficiency like morphology an...

This paper investigates the feasibility of automated scoring of spoken English proficiency of non-native speakers. Unlike existing automated assessments of spoken English, our data consists of spontaneous spoken responses to complex test items. We perform both a quantitative and a qualitative analysis of these features using two different machine learning approaches. (1) We use support vector m...

Among the most innovative features of the TOEFL® Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) are the addition of a speaking measure and a revised writing measure consisting of two writing tasks. The speaking and writing measures include both independent and integrated tasks. Independent tasks require test takers to talk or write about their personal opinions or experiences. Integrated tasks require the use...

Limited English language proficiency forms a significant challenge for many Latinos in clinical settings. Although medications are commonly used by older individuals as a means of maintaining good health and managing health problems, the extent to which English proficiency is related to medication use among older Latinos is not known. Focus groups were conducted with Latino, community-residing ...

This study examines the respective roles of language proficiency and more general developmental factors (e.g., mental capacity, knowledge) in children's metaphor interpretation. Subjects were Spanish-English-speaking and monolingual-English children from 7 to 12 years of age. The samples were English-speaking middle-class (n ffi 31) and working-class children (n = 34) and Spanish-English-speaki...

Automaticity and real-time aspects of performance are directly relevant to L2 spoken language proficiency. This paper analyzes data from L2 speakers of English and Spanish spread over a range of proficiency levels as identified by traditional holistic, rubric-based human ratings. In spontaneous speech samples from these L2 populations, we studied timed measures of spoken fluency (linguistic uni...

Teacher self-efficacy has been identified as an important characteristic of teachers that can positively influence both teacher and student outcomes. The relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy and their linguistic proficiency, however, is yet to be investigated. The present study was an attempt to examine the rather under-researched issue of teachers’ level of linguistic competence in the...