The SPEAK Test

The SPEAK test is an in-person 30-minute recorded oral examination (total testing time from check-in to completion is about 60 minutes). The test is used to evaluate the spoken English of International TAs. The test is available only to students holding or under consideration for a teaching assistantship. SPEAK test scores cannot be sent to or accepted from other educational institutions.

UW System policy requires that non-native English speakers demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before they are assigned classroom duties as teaching assistants. 

Departments may utilize the following mechanisms to demonstrate spoken English proficiency by potential TAs: 

• A satisfactory score greater than or equal to 50 on the SPEAK test
• A score of 26/30 or higher on the speaking section of the iBt TOEFL test
• A score of 8.0 or higher on the speaking section of the IELTS 

Each college or school determines its own policy for the hiring of teaching assistants, in accordance with general university guidelines. The general guidelines for the use of SPEAK test scores follow.

Students with a score greater than or equal to 50 may teach with no further English language testing requirements.

Students with a score of 45* can perform instructional duties that require spoken English only if also enrolled in a program to improve English skills.

Students with a score lower than 45 cannot perform instructional duties that require spoken English.

*Note: Students are required to re-take the SPEAK test until they have earned a score of 50 or above to teach without further English Language testing requirements.

SPEAK tests will be scored within five working days and results will be sent to both the student and the department, accompanied by a recommendation for those with scores of 45 or lower. Scores will be sent by e-mail. On request, a PDF copy can be sent.

Students will take the test through a SPEAK Test Canvas course in a computer lab on campus. The test is recorded and timed on a computer in a computer classroom with several other examinees. Examinees listen to the test through headphones and speak into a microphone on their headset to record their responses.

Download this sample SPEAK test for examples of the types of questions you will be asked on the test.

You MUST take the Canvas Practice SPEAK Test in advance. You will be enrolled in the SPEAK Test Canvas course a few days before your test date. You can retake the Practice Test as many times as you like to familiarize yourself with the test format.

The test can be taken only once in any three-month period.

Students who wish to take the test should contact their department. Departments must authorize their teaching assistants or potential teaching assistants to take the SPEAK test by pre-registering them with the ESL Program. (See registration Procedures above for more detailed instructions.)

Arrive 5-10 minutes early for check-in. Bring your student ID (or your passport if you do not yet have your student ID since a photo ID is required).

While masks are not required, you are welcome to wear one if you feel more comfortable being masked. Wearing a mask will not affect the quality of the recording.

The SPEAK test is rated by qualified and trained language specialists for pronunciation and how well the student addresses the question being asked. Two graders independently score each test, and their scores are averaged. The scoring guide used to evaluate the SPEAK test is indicated below. 

The SPEAK rating scale: Link

Adapted from the SPEAK Band Descriptor Chart in SPEAK Rater Training Guide, published by Educational Testing Service. (1996). Princeton, New Jersey.