The Use of an Elicited Imitation Test to Measure Global Oral Proficiency of L2 Chinese at the Postsecondary Classroom Level

With a growing number of foreign language studies on proficiency outcomes,it is imperative to address the challenge of measuring students’proficiency development in a language program where standardized proficiency testing is not readily available.This article reports administering a Chinese elicited imitation test(EIT)by an instructor to track students’global oral proficiency development in a small language program in a mid-size U.S.public university.The test results from the EIT of second language(L2)Chinese suggest that this tool can provide the instructor with valuable insights into students’oral proficiency.This study also discusses the potential practical value of using this EIT in a language program with limited resources for standardized proficiency assessment.The hope is that this study will encourage language educators who are not already doing so to start using empirical evidence from a valid and reliable proficiency measurement tool to reflect on,improve,and guide their instructional practices.

CONFIDENCE INDEX AND ORAL PROFICIENCY

Many researchers confirm that confidence factor plays a significant role in oral English training. However, lack of reliable evaluation methods renders teachers impotent in measuring individual confidence variation. They can do little more than form a rough impression on the basis of students' test scores and their personality traits, which proves deceptive and misleading. This paper introduces the notion of confidence index as an evaluation criterion, and empirical investigation reveals the wide variation in individual confidence index. Finally this paper explores the correlation between confidence factor and proficiency.

FACTORS AFFECTING CHINESE POST-GRADUATE EFL LEARNERS' ORAL PROFICIENCY

The article investigates factors affecting Chinese postgraduate EFL learners’ oral proficiency. Little practice, fear of errors and unscientific classroom management are found to be the major factors. Also an overemphasis on written English instruction seems to be another root cause. After the discussion of the results of this investigation a series of methods are suggested for reference.

The Dynamic Interplay Between Language Motivation and English Speaking Fluency:Implications for Effective Teaching Strategies

In this study,we aim to investigate the reciprocal influence between language motivation and English speaking fluency among language learners,and to draw implications for effective teaching methodologies.By analyzing multiple cases of language learners in conjunction with relevant theories and practical insights,the study uncovers a dynamic correlation between language motivation and speaking fluency.The research findings indicate that heightened language motivation can positively impact learners’speaking fluency,while improved oral skills,in turn,bolster learners’language confidence and motivation.Building on these insights,the study proposes impactful teaching approaches,such as cultivating learners’enthusiasm for language acquisition,providing diverse opportunities for oral practice,and fostering active engagement in language communication.These strategies are designed to enhance language motivation and speaking fluency among learners,offering valuable guidance and reference for educators.

Iranian English Foreign Language Learners＇ Learning Style Sensory Preferences and Their Speaking Strategy Use Across Proficiency

This study investigates the relationship between Iranian EFL （English as a Foreign Language） learners＇ sensory preferences： Visual, Audial, and Haptic （VAH） and the learners＇ speaking strategy use across proficiency. To this end 146 Iranian EFL learners studying English at different levels of language proficiency, participated in this study. O＇Brien＇s （1990） learning channel preference checklist was given to students to determine their sensory preferences In addition, a Speaking Strategy questionnaire （an adaptation of strategy inventory for language learning （SILL）, focusing on strategies used at the time of Speaking） was also given to the students in another session. The data were analyzed using multivariate ANOVA （MANOVA） in order to probe the relationship between Iranian EFL Learners＇ Learning Style Sensory Preferences and their speaking strategy use across proficiency. Based on the results, it can be claimed that there was a weak to moderate interaction between the proficiency levels and preference of speaking strategies on the learning styles of the Iranian EFL learners.

Investigation and Analysis of the Oral Expression Competency Among Students in Second-tier Universities:Based on China's Standards of English Language Ability

By adopting quantitative analysis,based on the statements for oral scale of CSE(China Standards of English)level five,this paper investigated the current status,common difficulties and control factors on oral English competency of nonEnglish majors in second-tier universities,which was conducted using questionnaires that includes six dimensions of language expression:accuracy,complexity,coherence,fluency,appropriateness,and flexibility.The results showed that:(i)the overall oral English competency of college non-English majors hasn't met the statements of CSE level five;(ii)female students significantly outperformed male students,and business majors students significantly outperformed those in liberal arts majors who were significantly better than those in science majors;(iii)there was no significant difference between grades;(iv)the flexibility,coherence and accuracy of language expression almost reached the standard grade,but the common core difficulties faced by the students were mainly in pronunciation,scope oflanguage expression,fluency and appropriateness.Unclear goals,less practice and poor vocabulary were major impact factors.The research is helpful for strengthening students?knowledge on their own oral English competency as well as adjusting their oral practice objectives,thereby shedding light on students5 actual oral English proficiency and helping to clarify and refine the teaching objectives of speaking and promote the effective practice of oral English as well as the rational application of CSE.