Grading FAQS

From PSST

1. Switching word order

• give credit for only one word.

2. Mispronunciations

• if it is intelligible, it receives full credit DO NOT GRADE PRONUNCIATION!

3. Contractions (e.g. should have = shoulda, it is = it's)

• all of these type receive full credit.

4. Correcting mistakes and restarts

• full credit.

5. A file with no sound at all

• If you hear a file that contains only background noise, check the background noise box and mark all as 0s.
• If you hear a file that seems to contain no noise at all, mark all as 0 and please write "WHITE SILENCE" in the questions box.
• If the file has a buzzing or crackling noise that makes the speech difficult or impossible to hear, mark the background noise box and write BUZZ in the questions box.

6. Morphemes vs. Phonemes

• If a morpheme is added or dropped, the syllable should be marked wrong. (writes for write is wrong, read for reads is wrong)
• If they add or drop phonemes, it is up to your judgment to decide if they said the correct word or not.

If you have any additional questions that aren't answered please email jlmcghee@gmail.com or add them below

This guy said "They had been watching mememmemme shower.

• Full credit for repetitions

What if they mix up word order?

• Mark it as a Word Transposition and only give them credit for the first word (the blue swan = the swan blue, credit for the and swan, not blue)

What if they leave words out?

• mark them as incorrect

Do we just mark the missed words wrong?

• yes

inserted "for", instead of "of"

• mark it as wrong and check the Word Insertion box

added "on"

• check the Word Insertion box

what do we do with mispronunciations, how much leeway do we give them?

• if it is intelligible it is correct, do not grade pronunciation!

Do we error on the side of being strict or lenient with pronunciation?

• if it is intelligible it is correct, do not grade pronunciation!

In this one, the learner says [Spaneesh] - but I gave it to her."

• that is the correct response

adds "like to" before "buy"

• check the Word Insertion box

is repeating a syllable/word considered inserting a syllable/word?

• not if it is the same word/syllable

inserted, moved back, corrected

• 4. Correcting mistakes and restarts: full credit.

Do we count if they go back and correct a mistake?

• 4. Correcting mistakes and restarts: full credit.

switched Tuesday and Thursday

• credit for tuesday and, thursday should be marked wrong

If the end of the word is not pronounced, does it still count as the word (e.g. 'di' instead of 'did'?)

• did should be marked wrong

if they are missing a morpheme or adding morphemes to words is that considered wrong? ex - saying like and not likeD

• Yes - see #6

What do we do about cliticization? ('movie was' to 'movie's' in this case or any other clitic)

• These should receive full credit

had vs have?

• incorrect

Does a change such as 'has' to 'was' count as a word insertion?

• yes

write, instead of writes

• mark as wrong - #6

--unanswered and new questions--