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Using Speaking Test Data to Define the Advanced Proficiency Level for L2 Arabic Speakers
Author(s) -
Loomis Summer
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
foreign language annals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1944-9720
pISSN - 0015-718X
DOI - 10.1111/flan.12167
Subject(s) - psychology , language proficiency , arabic , significant difference , linguistics , test (biology) , mathematics education , mathematics , statistics , paleontology , philosophy , biology
Reaching the Advanced level of proficiency in speaking is a common goal of second language learners, but data on advanced learners of less commonly taught languages such as Arabic are scarce. This mixed‐methods study reports words‐per‐minute and type‐token ratios for three ACTFL levels—10 Intermediate Mid, 10 Advanced Mid, and 8 Superior—obtained from full‐length OPIs. Independent‐samples t tests revealed a significant difference between Intermediate Mid and Advanced Mid speakers on both measures, but no significant difference between Advanced Mid and Superior speakers was found. Qualitative observations on the distinctive features of Advanced learners' speech are also shared.