Rating Your Performance 

The evaluators of your performance will be a trained team of professionals in the field of teaching English as a Second Language. At least two evaluators will rate each SPEC performance; if there is any doubt about the rating, an additional evaluator will view the recording. 

Your performance will be rated using the SPEC rubric. 

 

Results will be reported to the department that is considering you for a teaching assistantship as soon as the results can be determined. Please go to your department to receive your results and feedback form. If you have questions about your results or would like to discuss future courses, you may talk to someone in ESL Programs after receiving the results from your department. 

 

For more information about SPEC test results, including classroom follow-up and recertification, please see below and Orientation, Classroom Follow-up, and Recertification for information about ongoing support. 

 

How to Access and Interpret SPEC Test Results 

 

Certification Based on SPEC Test Results 

Results for the SPEC test are available within three-five business days. Test takers can access SPEC test results through their departments.  

Test takers can access individualized feedback about their SPEC test performance through their department within 2 weeks after their test date.  If more information is needed, test takers can also make an appointment with the ESL Programs office to discuss SPEC results. 

 

SPEC result forms contain the following information: 

  • the Level of Certification achieved by the examinee (fully certified, partially certified, or not certified); 

  • the types of teaching assistant responsibilities the student has language proficiency to perform; and 

  • the TAPE program courses, if any, which the student is required to complete. 

 

 

Score 

Certification Level 

Eligible Teaching Responsibilities  

Required TAPE Course 

 

A 

Take full responsibility for a lecture or discussion class 
The student's SPEC performance indicated that the student should be able to take full responsibility for a class.  

TAPE:5330  

TAPE Orientation 

 

B 

Handle a discussion section or supervise a lab section with minimal supervision 
The SPEC performance indicated that the student's proficiency is at a level sufficient to teach a discussion section or lab with some faculty supervision.   

TAPE:5330  

TAPE Orientation 

 

 

C 

Assist in a lab situation with immediate supervision or teach a foreign language class where the language of instruction is not English 
The SPEC performance indicated that the student's proficiency is at a level sufficient to assume duties such as assisting in a lab; however, immediate supervision of a faculty member is required. TAPE classes and an additional SPEC are required if the student wishes to raise their certification to the A or B level.    

TAPE:5300 

Presentation Skills 

 

D 

Conduct office hours (one-on-one interaction only) 
The SPEC performance indicated that the student may assume teaching assistantship responsibilities which allow for one-on-one interaction with students, such as conducting office hours. 

TAPE:5300 

TAPE Pronunciation, Fluency Building, and Culture 

 

E 

Grade papers or handle other duties that do not require direct contact with students 
The SPEC performance indicated that the student not be assigned duties that require direct contact with students. 

TAPE:5300 

TAPE Pronunciation, Fluency Building, and Culture 

 

ESL:4100 

ESL Academic Oral Skills 

 

Retesting 

Students who do not achieve the required passing score on the SPEC test can retest only if: 

  • they take one of the required TAPE classes (in which case they will be automatically retested at the end of the class), OR 

  • they wait an entire year (students may only do this once).