Volume 6, 2006, Paper 6
Paper 6: The interactional organisation of the IELTS Speaking
Test
Authors
Paul Seedhouse
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Maria Egbert
University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
This report describes the interactional organisation of the
IELTS Speaking Test in terms of turn-taking, sequence and
repair.
ABSTRACT
This study is based on the analysis of transcripts of 137
audio-recorded tests using a Conversation Analysis (CA)
methodology. The institutional aim of standardisation in relation
to assessment is shown to be the key principle underlying the
organisation of the interaction. Overall, the vast majority of
examiners conform to the instructions; in cases where they do not
do so, they often give an advantage to some candidates. The overall
organisation of the interaction is highly constrained, although
there are some differences in the different parts of the test. The
organisation of repair has a number of distinctive characteristics
in that it is conducted according to strictly specified rules, in
which the examiners have been briefed and trained.
Speaking test interaction is an institutional variety of
interaction with three sub-varieties. It is very different to
ordinary conversation, has some similarities with some
sub-varieties of L2 classroom interaction and some similarities
with interaction in universities.
A number of recommendations are made in relation to examiner
training, instructions and
test design.
