UPOLAI Project
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) about the UPOLAI
1. What does “UPOLAI” stand for?
2. How do you pronounce UPOLAI?
4. For which languages is the UPOLAI available?
6. What exactly does the UPOLAI test?
7. What are the proficiency guidelines and what do they measure?
8. How many items are on the UPOLAI and how long does it take?
9. Can I use the UPOLAI more than once with the same student?
11. How can a computer evaluate a student's speaking proficiency?
12. Is there a practice test available?
1. What does “UPOLAI” stand for?
University of Pittsburgh Oral Language Assessment Instrument
2. How do you pronounce UPOLAI?
The preferred pronunciation is “YOU po lie” or in simplified IPA, [ 'jupowlaj ]
The UPOLAI is a computer-based speaking test for foreign languages under development at the University of Pittsburgh. It is patterned after the nationally-recognized Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI).
4. For which languages is the UPOLAI available?
It is currently available for French, German, and Spanish. Hebrew and Portuguese will be available at the end of the Spring 2008 semester. Additional languages may be added in the near future.
Students take the UPOLAI after the 4th semester of the target language. The language majors in some departments take the test again after the 8th semester. In this case, the results from the 4th semester are then used as a baseline against which the exit scores for majors can be measured.
6. What exactly does the UPOLAI test?
The UPOLAI assesses oral proficiency according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines-Speaking (1999).
7. What are the proficiency guidelines and what do they measure?
The proficiency guidelines are designed to measure oral communication skills such as: ability to enumerate, describe, ask questions, negotiate complications and speak with tact.
8. How many items are on the UPOLAI and how long does it take?
The UPOLAI consists of 2 practice items and 8 task items. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
9. Can I use the UPOLAI more than once with the same student?
Yes, the UPOLAI may be used more than once with the same examinee. A large pool of tasks is available for each language, and the tasks will be shuffled each time the test is given.
10. Does the rating obtained by a student affect their course grade or in any other way affect their standing in the department?
No. However, the test may be used for advising purposes.
11. How can a computer evaluate a student's speaking proficiency?
The computer does not evaluate speaking proficiency. It is used merely to present the tasks, record the student's responses, and collect the audio files. The responses are then evaluated by human raters who have been specially trained in scoring oral responses according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
12. Is there a practice test available?
Yes, a practice test is available in the Macintosh lab in the Robert Henderson Language Media Center.
TOP
Robert Henderson Language Media Center
University of Pittsburgh
http://www.polyglot.pitt.edu/about/staff/index.html
Last revised: November 30, 2007