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.
Practice Test
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 our website. Click on "Instructional Technology" at the top of this page. Then, scroll down until you see "SPEAK Practice Test". 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 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 2012 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Thursday, January 5 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Tuesday, January 10 (4:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, Febrary 6 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Friday, Febrary 17 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, March 5 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Friday, March 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, April 2 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Friday, April 13 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Friday, May 4 (stop day) | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Thursday, May 10 (3:00 p.m.) |
Summer 2012 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Thursday, May 31 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Monday, June 4 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, July 2 | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Friday, July 13 (3:00 p.m.) |
Fall 2012 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Monday, August 6 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Friday, August 10 (4:00 p.m.) |
| Wednesday, August 8 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Tuesday, August 14 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Tuesday, September 4 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Friday, September 14 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, October 1 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Tuesday, October 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Monday, November 5 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Friday, November 16 (3:00 p.m.) |
| Friday, December 7 (stop day) | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Thursday, December 13 (3:00 p.m.) |
Spring 2013 |
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| Date | Time | Results Available |
| Thursday, January 3 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Tuesday, January 8 (4:00 p.m.) |
For detailed information please contact Howard Pollock at hpollock@ku.edu.
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