Oral Communicative Assessment: Are We Doing It Right?

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss the important features that are essential for assessing students' oral communicative performance. The subjects for this study were from the VG 2923 course, a second level Life Sciences course meant for the Faculty of Science and Technology students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. They either have to take this course in the second semester of their first year or the first semester of the second year at university.

The study was conducted throughout the semester for the academic session of 1999/2000. It focused on four major components: criterion-referenced presentation, forum, case study and interview. This paper will first look at the aspect of fluency and competence in the assessment of oral performance. Next, the important techniques that have been used by the teachers to prepare students for the assessment will be highlighted. Besides that, the advantages as well as limitations of the assessment as a means of evaluating second language competency in a science-based English class will be outlined. Lastly, suggestions and recommendations on how the oral performance assessment can help to upgrade the quality of students' oral communication skills and factors that contribute to the success of the implementation of the test will be presented.