Multiple Questions in Different Sections of Oral Proficiency Interviews

Abstract

It is generally accepted that productive skills, i.e. writing and speaking, are hard to evaluate in EFL classes and they require special training in terms of assuring valid and reliable assessments. Recently oral proficiency interviews (OPIs) are gaining popularity as one type of assessment and they seem to provide more valid results when administered appropriately. One of the main characteristics of OPIs are multiple questions (MQs). They are used in OPIs to deal with the problems. Therefore, it may be beneficial to investigate the use of MQs in OPIs to reach better understanding and increase the validity. In this respect, conversation analysis which enables researchers track learning and examine micro details makes it possible to see what is happening in conversations. In scope of the current study, in which two-hour recording of OPIs administered in a Turkish University, the use of MQs in OPIs is examined by using conversation analysis and the findings are discussed.

Keywords

• Multiple Questions,Oral Proficiency Exams,Conversation Analysis,Problems in OPIs

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