Current Problems and Proposed Solutions for Testing Speaking: Opinions of EFL Teachers

This paper is an attempt to explore EFL teachers’ opinions about the problems they encounter and proposals for solutions with regard to the speaking test implemented at a state university in Turkey. The participants were 22 EFL instructors teaching English at a state university in Turkey. The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher. The form was developed based on the review of literature. Among the content analysis methods, categorical analysis method and inductive analysis method were used to analyze the data obtained through semi-structured interview form administered to the teachers. The results were analyzed and discussed in terms of the speaking test and its implications for teaching and learning activities and testing. In the light of the study findings, majority of the teachers thought that time limitation is a factor that affects the validity and reliability of speaking test. In addition, teachers stated that formative assessment during the academic year would produce better results performances in testing speaking.