Graduate Writing & Oral Communication:
SPEAK Test Policy and Procedure

SPEAK Test Policy

According to Ohio University policy and state law, all students who have been offered a graduate teaching assistantship must be certified as proficient in oral Englsh. This includes graduate students who have responsibility for laboratory in addition to classroom instruction. Non-native speakers of English can demonstrate proficiency either through submission of an official TSE score or by taking the free Ohio University SPEAK test prior to the start of the quarter. For students demonstrating proficiency through testing, clearance for instructional assignments is granted once they have achieved either a 55 on the TSE or a 230 on the SPEAK test.

Students who have not been cleared for instructional assignments may still be allowed to assume those assignments on a probationary basis if all of the following conditions are met:

1. They have a SPEAK test score no lower than 190,
2. They enroll in an international ITA pronunciation or classroom communication course,
3. They are deemed by their Graduate Chairs and Department Chairs as having English skills that are adequate and appropriate for their teaching/instructional assignments, and
4. Their speaking skills are evauated again before the beginning of the subsequent quarter. (If they receive a SPEAK score of 230 or higher they are no longer required to take ITA coursework unless required by department.)

The table below outlines the test scores and outcomes:

SPEAK Test Procedure

1. Departments are notified of SPEAK test times and locations every quarter.
2. Departments notify students about the SPEAK test time/location. Only students who have been offered a teaching position or who have a strong possibility to be offered a teaching position are eligible to take the test.
3. Departments notify OPIE (593-4575) with names of students who will be taking the SPEAK test. Students cannot register themselves for the test, and students cannot take the test without being registered.
4. Students record the test on a computer in a lab, usually in a group (takes approximately 30 minutes).
5. Departments are notified of the results and students who need to take an ITA course in order to teach are notified of class times.
6. Students' scores are reported to Graduate Studies and entered into the SIS system.

Note: Practice tests can be obtained in the OPIE office in Gordy 155B.

Questions

• Questions about SPEAK test times/location/procedure should be addressed to Dr. Dawn Bikowski at bikowski@ohio.edu or 593-0201.
• Questions about compliance with these standards should be addressed to Dr. Katherine Tadlock at tadlockk@ohio.edu or 597-2860.