The Need for an Alternative Approach to Oral Testing

The Need for an Alternative Approach to Oral Testing

  The purpose of this study was to introduce a new type of oral test, a Computerized Oral Test (COT) and to investigate current oral testing methods and teachers" and students" perceptions of the current test methods and the COT in a Korean university classroom. The results of the study showed that only a few teachers were using a Face-To-Face Interview (FTFI) format, mainly due to its impracticality, even though both teachers and students perceived that the FTFI was the most appropriate test format for assessing and helping to improve speaking skills. Both groups felt that they needed a more effective test method for accurate assessment and improvement of speaking skills. The perceptions of the COT were generally favorable although more teachers showed preference for the FTFI over the COT. I in tum proposed the COT format as an alternative oral testing method to the FTFI in the Korean university classroom.