SPEAK Test Administration
The Applied English Center assists departments in screening the oral language proficiency of non-native speakers of English who are applying for teaching positions. GTA applicants are required by Board of Regents Policy to submit test scores for the SPEAK test of spoken English administered by the Educational Testing Service or the internet based TOEFL (iBT) speaking section to be eligible for a GTA position. (Until recently, the TOEFL, which is used by most departments as an indicator of English proficiency for admission to graduate school, had not tested oral proficiency.) Our staff will administer the SPEAK test to applicants for Graduate Teaching Assistantships on the dates listed below.
Scoring
The SPEAK test is scored with a range of scores from 20-60, reported in 5-point increments. Anyone planning to take the SPEAK test is strongly encouraged to preview the test. If you have a KU Online ID, you can see a practice version of the test on the website for the Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center. The purpose of the practice test is to familiarize test takers with the format of the Speak Test. If you are not able to get online, practice test booklets and CD or cassette recordings are available at the AEC office.
Register
To register for the test, come to the AEC office located in 204 Lippincott Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to fill out a Request to Take the SPEAK Test form. Applicants must provide evidence of their listening ability. This may be by having met AEC requirements or by presentation of official TOEFL scores. Applicants may come in any day of the week to fill out a request application. They may return any following day (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) to complete test registration and to set an appointment time. This must be done by noon on the day prior to the test.
Guidelines
Applicants may take the SPEAK Test no more than one time every four months. Click here to see Frequently Asked Questions about the SPEAK test at KU. For graduate students who hope to become Graduate Teaching Assistants, the Applied English Center offers a special course called Classroom Communication for International Teaching Assistants. For details on Kansas Board of Regents policy regarding English language proficiency for Graduate Teaching Assistants, please read the detailed policy statement in the Provost's Office.
Dates
Spring 2010 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Monday, January 4 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Monday, January 11 (8:00 a.m.) |
| Wednesday, January 6 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Monday, January 11 (8:00 a.m.) |
| Monday, February 1 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Friday, February 12 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, March 1 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Friday, March 12 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, April 5 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Friday, April 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Friday, May 7 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Thursday, May 13 (3:00 p.m.) |
Summer 2010 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Thursday, June 3 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Monday, June 7 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, July 6 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Friday, July 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
Fall 2010 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Friday, August 6 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Thursday, August 12 (8:00 a.m.) |
| Tuesday, August 10 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Tuesday, August 17 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Tuesday, September 7 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Friday, September 17(3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, October 4 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Tuesday, October 19 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, November 1 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Friday, November 12 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Friday, December 10 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Thursday, December 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
Spring 2010 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Monday, January 10 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Tuesday, January 18 (8:00 a.m.) |
| Wednesday, January 12 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Tuesday, January 18 (8:00 a.m.) |
For detailed information please contact Howard Pollock at hpollock@ku.edu.
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