Exploring the Stability of Second Language Speech Ratings through Task Practice in Bilinguals’ Two Languages

Authors

  • Kym Taylor Reid Concordia University, Montreal
  • Mary Grantham O’Brien University of Calgary
  • Pavel Trofimovich Concordia University, Montreal
  • Aki Tsunemoto Concordia University, Montreal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jmbs.17714

Keywords:

speech rating, perspective taking, assessment, L2 English, rating stability, task practice

Abstract

This study examined the stability of second language (L2) speech ratings as a function of bilingual raters engaging in perspective taking through practice of the target speaking task. Thirty English-dominant English–French bilinguals evaluated narratives from 40 French speakers of L2 English for segmental errors, intonation, and flow. Before providing the ratings, 20 raters practiced the task in their more or less dominant language (10 per group), while 10 baseline raters performed no practice. Whereas the English practice enhanced raters’ evaluations for two of the three dimensions relative to baseline raters’ assessments, the French practice did not impact rating stability.

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Published

2020-12-24

Issue

Section

Research Notes

How to Cite

Taylor Reid, Kym, Mary Grantham O’Brien, Pavel Trofimovich, and Aki Tsunemoto. 2020. “Exploring the Stability of Second Language Speech Ratings through Task Practice in Bilinguals’ Two Languages”. Journal of Monolingual and Bilingual Speech 2 (2): 315–329. https://doi.org/10.1558/jmbs.17714.