Adopting Scenarios as a Mechanism for Measuring L2 Fluency

Fluency is a crucial aspect of foreign and second language (L2) oral proficiency, often assessed through speaking examinations, playing a vital role in determining an L2 user's competence. However, there is a disparity in defining fluency, ranging from narrow to broad perspectives, influencing how oral proficiency is evaluated. Most tests employ presentational tasks, lacking authenticity and deemed insufficient for realistic assessments, leading to a call for alternatives. Scenarios (Di Pietro, 1994), conceptualized as situations fostering strategic interaction for language learning, emerge as an alternative for fluency assessment, providing a realistic evaluation method. This proposed mechanism aligns with the need for oral tests adhering to authenticity, interactivity, and practicality, as suggested by Bachman and Palmer (1996), offering a more accurate performance evaluation for language users in authentic situations.
Presenter
Leiry Warren is a PhD student in Hispanic Linguistics in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies where she teaches undergraduate Spanish courses. Her research interests include second language acquisition, oral fluency assessments, sociocultural theory, metacognition in language learning, the use of scenarios (Di Pietro, 1994), and language policy. She was selected to be a CARLA Fellow for 2023-2024.