SLPT

The SLPT is an at-home exam that measures the speaking skills of international students applying for an assistantship during a short interaction with examiners. The exam is conducted using online meeting software such as Microsoft Teams. A topic and the meeting link are sent to the examinee’s email address the day before the scheduled exam. Examinees will prepare a 10-minute oral presentation and should be able to answer a few questions as if teaching a freshman class or lab. Examinees may use the whiteboard built into TEAMS or refer to notes, but the lesson should not be read. PowerPoint or other technology aids should not be used. SLPT exams are video recorded.

The SLPT evaluators will assess the examinee's overall comprehensibility in three key areas: pronunciation, language, and delivery. Read the list below for a breakdown of how each area is scored.

 

1. Pronunciation (35 Points)
   
   • Articulation of Sound: Pronounces sounds clearly enough at the word level that the listener can understand what word is intended.
   • Word Stress: Correct word stress (expecTAtion, SIMilar, scenARio); does not add or drop syllables (chang –ed; experim…); occasional incorrect word stress does not impede understanding.
   • Intonation: Varied pitch aids in understanding the meaning (a variety of rising, falling and level tones; rising for Y/N questions; falling at end of sentences).
   • Prominence: Says important words louder, longer and higher pitched to give emphasis; pauses for emphasis; may use body language to emphasize key words.
2. Language (20 Points)
   
   • Grammar: Presenter uses a wide range of grammatical structures effectively (Errors are minor or infrequent and do not interfere with / distract from learning).
   • Vocabulary: Uses a wide vocabulary flexibly to discuss topics at length and make the meaning clear.
3. Delivery (35 Points)
   
   • Fluency: Able to speak coherently at length with a smooth flow of words (neither too fast, nor too slow). No long pauses to search for words. Does not use a lot of repetition or self-correction (related to language).
   • Comprehensibility: Presenter enhances his / her communication by using gestures and visual aids (such as pointing to the board). Uses repetition and paraphrasing to help the audience understand. Appropriate volume.
   • Audience Awareness: Presenter is aware of listener non-comprehension; uses techniques such as eye-contact, wait time, and comprehension check questions – “Does everyone understand so far?”
   • Organization: Material presented in a logical order. Presenter uses transitional phrases effectively to provide cohesion to the content (“First” “Second,” “Okay, let me summarize by…” “For example”).
   • Context: Presenter gives clear definitions and examples. Able to adjust these if needed based on audience interaction.
   • Aural Comprehension: Presenter demonstrates listening comprehension of English spoken at a natural rate. Negotiates meaning through appropriate questions.

Additional Help

For additional help in these areas, visit the website: elac.uark.edu or contact the ELAC Coordinator, Wendy McBride, at wmcbride@uark.edu.

Registration, Test Dates and Availability

Registration may fill up quickly so register early to get your preferred date and time. The deadline to register for the SLPT is 7 days prior to each test date. Space may still be available after the deadline has passed. When available, late registrations are assessed a late fee of $20.

• Regular Registration $80.00
  Register online for an SLPT exam that is more than 7 days from today.
• Late Registration $100.00
  Register online for an SLPT exam that is less than 7 days from today.
  Note: You are charged a $20 late fee when registering through this link.

Identification Requirements

Identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued identification that includes your photograph and signature.

Score Reporting

The SLPT is worth a total of 90 points and examinees must have a score of 72 or higher to meet the graduate teaching assistant speaking requirement. A report will be sent by email approximately two weeks after the exam which includes a total score along with individual scores for pronunciation, language, and delivery as well as any specific areas where improvement is required. All results are forwarded to the Graduate School and International Education.