Globalization and increases in the numbers of English language learners have led to a growing demand for English proficiency assessments of spoken language. In this paper, we describe the development of an automatic pronunciation scorer built on state-of-the-art deep neural network models. The model is trained on a bespoke human-rated dataset that…

The current study explored the assessment of English Language Learners' argumentative speaking ability. Specifically, the study involved the development and administration of a scenario-based test that aimed to measure learners' ability to display competency in L2 argumentative speaking ability by building an argument from factual evidence and…

The development of automated systems for evaluating spontaneous speech is desirable for L2 learning, as it can be used as a facilitating tool for self-regulated learning, language proficiency assessment, and teacher training programs. However, languages with fewer learners face challenges due to the scarcity of training data. Recent advancements…

Background: Secondary behaviours, which encompass reactions developed due to an individual's fear and stress about stuttering, have the potential to exacerbate the condition. Therefore, self-evaluation of secondary behaviours is significant in the multidimensional approach for people who stutter (PWS). Aim: To determine the validity and…

Foreign language (L2) learners' speaking proficiency is often quantified using two dimensions: intuitive human ratings and analytical, linguistic complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF) indices. While previous research and assessment practices have predominantly focused on either the subjective approach to L2 speaking or the objective one, it is…

Purpose: This study evaluates the initial efficacy of Chaining SPeech Lessons in Intensive Ten-minute Sessions (SPLITS), an alternative service delivery model for the Speech Motor Chaining treatment approach. We hypothesized that Chaining SPLITS would result in improvements in /[Voiced alveolar approximant]/ accuracy on syllables and untrained…

Background: The Scenario Test is recognised for its effectiveness in assessing the interactive aspects of functional communication in people with post-stroke aphasia (PWA). Aims: To develop a Japanese version of the Scenario Test (Scenario Test-JP) and assess its reliability and validity. Methods & Procedures: Among 66 participants, we…

This case report describes a young child with inconsistent phonological disorder (IPD). The child presented with unintelligible speech. She made limited progress on individual speech production goals targeting phonological patterns over 4 years, remaining unintelligible. The child was diagnosed with IPD following an inconsistency assessment and…

Purpose: Phonological processing skills, or using phoneme knowledge to process language, in preschool- and kindergarten-age children are an important indicator of children's future reading abilities. However, assessing phonological processing skills can be difficult in children with speech sound disorders because scoring often requires that…

Most second language assessment researchers agree that interactional competence (IC) is an important part of the construct of oral communication. However, measurement of IC has proven challenging because at least one interlocutor is considered necessary to create an appropriate social context for test takers to demonstrate their IC. Including…

Background: Rapid naming refers to the duration required to swiftly and accurately identify a set of familiar visual stimuli. Rapid naming serves as a significant indicator of the efficiency with which phonological information can be retrieved from memory, playing a crucial role in the advancement of language and literacy competencies. Aim: This…

The semi-direct speaking test format has limitations, particularly due to its lack of situational authenticity and contextualized input. To address this issue, virtual reality (VR) can be integrated into speaking proficiency tests to enhance authenticity. In this study, a newly designed VR speaking test was administered, and test-takers'…

Automated speaking assessment (ASA) of second language proficiency benefits both learners and educators. However, developing these systems for less commonly taught languages like Finnish and Finland Swedish is hindered by the need for large datasets with equal representation of all proficiency levels. Traditional machine learning algorithms used…

Purpose: This study sought to determine the minimally detectable change (MDC) of sentence intelligibility for speakers with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: Speakers included 78 participants consisting of 32 neurologically healthy control speakers, 30 speakers with MS, and 16 speakers with PD. All speakers were…

To be able to assess interactional competence (IC), which believed to be shared knowledge rather than an individual skill, talk in paired speaking tests can be analyzed. Accordingly, this study investigates how L2 speakers of English collaboratively construct turns in paired speaking tests mainly through embodied word search sequences and their…