Resumen de Assisted self-assessment to optimize the OPIc test experience
Le Anne Spino, Megan M. Echevarría, Yu Wu
The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview—computer (OPIc) employs a self-assessment instrument to determine the nature of the speaking prompts to which the test taker will respond and, thus the difficulty of the test. Grounded in research demonstrating varying levels of accuracy in self-assessment among language learners, this study examines the accuracy of test takers' autonomous selection of appropriate OPIc forms and investigates strategies for maximizing level-appropriate form selection. Chinese, German, and Spanish language learners (n = 101) completed three different self-assessments before taking the OPIc. Self-assessment results across the three tools were then compared to the OPIc ratings ultimately achieved by the learners. Although accuracy in the selection of level-appropriate OPIc forms was generally quite high, success rates were higher with a global 10-point self-assessment instrument. These findings suggest that test takers may benefit from the assistance of a global 10-point scale in the OPIc form selection process.
