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Test Format
The GSI OET, which takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete, is composed of four tasks: Background Interview, Lesson Presentation, Office Hour Role-Play, and Recorded Questions. There are three evaluators present at each test: two members of the ELI Testing Division and one faculty representative from the department in which the GSI would be working. All tests are video-recorded. Once a test is finished, the candidate leaves the room and each evaluator rates the candidate independently. Evaluators then discuss the linguistic strengths and weaknesses of the candidate to reach a consensus rating. A description of the different tasks and the approximate length of each are listed below.
Background Interview
During this task, the candidate is asked a few general questions about his or her background and educational interests. This segment of the test serves as a warm-up and offers the candidate and the evaluators a chance to get a sense of the setting and of each other. Candidates are encouraged to become actively involved in the conversation and contribute to the development of topics by offering extended responses (rather than “yes” or “no”) and asking questions of the evaluators.
The features of language that evaluators consider include:
- the clarity, intelligibility, and fluency of speech
- listening comprehension
- length and coherence of discourse
- active participation in the conversation
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Planned Lesson
Candidates decide in advance on a topic or concept that they want to explain to the evaluators, who assume the role of students, and, therefore, ask the candidate questions. Candidates should choose topics that would typically be included in an introductory level class or lab in the department that the candidate would be working. Candidates may find it useful to observe a discussion section or lab that they may be assigned to as a GSI, noting which topics are discussed and how the material is presented to students. A blackboard is available for use during the presentation. Handouts should be used only if they would typically be used in a real teaching situation. If handouts are used during this task, three or four copies should be made to give to the evaluators. The use of an overhead projector or a Power Point presentation is not permitted.
During this task, candidates should focus on promoting audience understanding of the topic being taught. They should expect questions that might be asked by undergraduates. Candidates will probably be asked to stop before they have completed everything that they planned. This is only because of time constraints and is not an indication of the quality of the lesson.
The features of language that the evaluators consider include:
- the clarity, intelligibility, and fluency of speech
- comprehension of questions and thoroughness of responses
- ability to recognize miscommunication and engage in negotiation to repair misunderstandings
- range and accuracy of grammar and vocabulary
- coherence/organization of explanations
use of (non)verbal strategies to promote interaction
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Office Hour Role-Play
In this task, one of the evaluators assumes the role of a student visiting the GSI during his/her office hour. The "student" seeks advice or guidance about problems related to administrative matters or personal academic problems; the “student” may also ask questions about the subject matter of the lesson.
The features of language that the evaluators consider include:
- the clarity, intelligibility, and fluency of speech
- comprehension of direct and implied meanings
- comprehension of colloquial and idiomatic expressions
- use of (non)verbal strategies to promote interaction
- thoroughness of responses
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Recorded Questions
This is the last task of the OET. Ten questions, which represent typical student concerns, are presented via DVD. The DVD is paused after each question and candidates respond to the inquiry. It is important to note that there is not a single, correct reply to any of the questions. Candidates should create a reply that makes sense as a response.
The features of language that the evaluators consider include:
- the clarity, intelligibility, and fluency of speech
- comprehension of direct and implied meanings
- thoroughness of responses
At the end of the test, the candidate leaves the room and each evaluator independently rates the candidate. The evaluators then discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate and reach a consensus rating.
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Rating Guidelines
Evaluators rate candidates in real time. During the test, each evaluator writes comments based on the Evaluation Criteria (pdf). At the end of a test, each evaluator independently rates the prospective GSI using the holistic Rating Scale (pdf).
Rating guidelines are as follows:
- A candidate’s performance on the entire test is evaluated.
- All tasks are taken into consideration, which means that a candidate does not pass or fail the test based on performance on only one task.
- The tasks are not rated separately.
- Candidates are not rated relative to each other.
- Candidates’ ability to teach is not rated.
- A single, final rating, reached by consensus, is given.
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