Title: Evaluating the Authenticity of Individual Speaking Skills Tests
Authors: Zerihun Endale, Taye Regassa (PhD)
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Pages: 7-45
Publication Date: 2022/01/28
Abstract:
The main objective of the study was to explore the authenticity of individual speaking skills tests at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU). The study employed a mixed-methods approach which integrated qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. A survey questionnaire was filled out by 267 first-year AASTU students who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Further, eleven of these students were selected randomly to take part in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The findings of the study revealed that the individual speaking skills tests at AASTU shared situational authenticity attributes, while the other two types of authenticity (interaction and outcome) failed to share features of authenticity adequately. As a result, it is possible to say that the interpretation of the students' achievements in speaking testing contexts may not reflect what they can actually achieve in real-life conversations in the academic domain. In general, the speaking skills tests were found to have significant room for improvement in test design, administration, and post-test follow-up.