The SPEAK test is the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE). It is an oral test approximately 20 minutes in length. The SPEAK test is being offered as an alternative to the TSE for purposes of establishing eligibility for Teaching Assistant appointments for admitted applicants whose primary language is not English.
The Graduate Division and the Humanities Instructional Resource Center, working in cooperation with the Program in Academic English/ESL, the Humanities Dean's Office, and the Division of Undergraduate Education began offering the SPEAK exam as an alternative to the TSE in Summer 2000.
The UCI Graduate Council policy states:
Effective fall quarter 2002, international students who are not citizens of countries where English is either the primary or dominant language, as approved by the Graduate Council, are required to take an oral English proficiency exam approved by the UCI campus in order to establish eligibility for a teaching appointment. This requirement applies equally to students who:
1) are permanent residents or who hold other non-citizen status and are residing in the United States;
2) have completed their undergraduate education in the United States; or
3) have attended "American" schools abroad.
U.S. citizens, regardless of their country of origin, are exempt. Students who are not citizens of one of the countries on this list, but who have completed all their high school education in the U.S., are eligible to request an exemption. An official copy of the high school transcript will be required. A copy of these lists should be made available in the academic units and in the Graduate Division office.
The exams are equivalent, and the scores from either the TSE, or the SPEAK administered at UCI, are acceptable. No exceptions to this requirement as described herein will be considered.
How often can I take the SPEAK test?
You can take the SPEAK test only once per academic quarter. If you receive a score of 40 or lower, you must enroll in and pass an ESL class prior to re-taking the exam. If you have taken the SPEAK and/or the TSE and have not passed, you may be eligible to take the TOEP.
You may register for the SPEAK test online by clicking here. Registration is open approximately two weeks prior to the test administration. Click here for a schedule. The maximum number of students per session is 16, and spaces will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. No exceptions to this requirement will be considered.
Registration for a session closes 3 working days prior to the test date. Once you register online, you must pay the $70 fee at the Cashier’s Office (in the Administration Building) within 2 working days or your reservation will be cancelled and you will need to re-register. Within one week of your payment, you will receive an email confirming your reservation. The Cashier's Office also accepts payments via Western Union. See their website for details.
The SPEAK test offered by University Extension as a placement tool is not valid for fulfilling the English language proficiency requirement for teaching assistants. Registering for their class is not the same as registering for the officially-recognized SPEAK test at UCI.
How can I prepare for the SPEAK test?
The SPEAK test is similar in format to the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Remember that the SPEAK test is an oral measurement of your English skills. Practice speaking English with native English speakers as often as possible! Enrollment in ESL classes is also strongly recommended, and required if your previous SPEAK or TSE score is below 40.
The exam will be held in the Humanities Instructional Resource Center (HIRC) in 269 Humanities Hall.. Usually, six test sessions are given on one day for each SPEAK test administration. The SPEAK is offered during the 4th week of instruction of each quarter, with one additional administration approximately 3 weeks prior to Welcome Week in the Fall. Click here for a schedule. You may sign up for only ONE (1) of the available sessions. You may not take the SPEAK test more than one time per academic quarter. No exceptions to this requirement will be considered.
The exam itself is about 20 minutes long and consists of 12 questions or tasks. Check-in, exam instructions, and check-out can take an additional 20 - 30 minutes. Therefore, allow yourself approximately 45-50 minutes for the entire examination procedure, and be sure to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the test time. Students arriving late will not be admitted. If space permits, they may be re-assigned to another test session, but this is not guaranteed. No exceptions to this requirement will be considered.
During check-in, you must present current photo identification, preferably your UCI student ID, but a passport or driver's license is also acceptable as long as you include proof of UCI enrollment, and a cashier's receipt as proof of payment for the exam.
During the exam you will be given a test booklet and will be asked to listen to and answer recorded questions through a headset attached to a computer. All of your responses will be recorded into a digital audio file on the computers in the testing room.
No-shows will forfeit the fee. Students who cancel at least 3 working days prior to the test will receive a refund of all but a small administrative fee. Emergency situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will require documentation of the nature of the emergency.
Scores: Scores will be available approximately two to three weeks after the test date. As soon as the rating is complete, your exam results will be available through your Student Affairs Officer or other individual specified by your department.
SPEAK Raters' Comments: Copies of specific rater comments are available upon request. To request copies of rater comments, fill out this form. You will receive an email confirmation when your comments are ready to be picked up from the HIRC (269 Humanities Hall).
Scores from SPEAK tests given at another institution will not be accepted. This includes the SPEAK test offered by University Extension for placement purposes. Likewise, UCI SPEAK scores are not valid at other institutions.
The exam is scored on a scale of 20-60 points. A passing score of 50 is needed in order to be eligible for a teaching assistantship at UCI. Consult with your major department to determine if a higher score is required.
If I took the TSE and scored below 50, can I take the SPEAK?
If you have taken the TSE and scored below 50, you may either retake the TSE or take the SPEAK at UCI. You may also be eligible to take the TOEP.
If you have any questions regarding the administration of the SPEAK exam, please contact either Judi Franz at judi.franz@uci.edu or Laura Swendson at laura.s@uci.edu. For other questions about the English Language Proficiency requirement, contact your departmental Student Affairs Officer or the Graduate Division.
Last updated: August 14, 2008 10:55 AM