• Search Research Projects
  • Search Researchers
  • How to Use
  1. Back to project page

1998 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Development of SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test), a Japanese Language Test

Research Project

Project/Area Number 08458055
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Japanese language education
Research InstitutionUniversity of Tsukuba

Principal Investigator

KOBAYASHI Noriko  University of Tsukuba, Institute of Literature and Linguistics, Associate Professor, 文芸・言語学系, 助教授 (00241753)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) SAKAI Takako  University of Tsukuba, Institute of Literature and Linguistics, Assistant Profes, 文芸・言語学系, 講師 (40215588)
YAMAMOTO Hilofumi  University of Tsukuba, Institute of Literature and Linguistics, Assistant Profes, 文芸・言語学系, 講師 (30241756)
Project Period (FY) 1996 – 1998
KeywordsSPOT / Japanese language ability / automaticity / language test / grammatical item
Research Abstract

SPOT (Simple Performance-Oriented Test) has been originally devised by Noriko Kobayashi and Junko Ford-Niwa as a new device that allows JSL(Japanese as a second language) learners at various levels to be placed simply, swiftly and accurately. The results of the research suggest that SPOT is a sufficiently accurate means to place students.
SPOT consists of an audio taped recording of a native speaker reading a series of complete sentences, to which the testee listens while reading the same sentences in Japanese script on the answer sheet. Each sentence on the answer sheet contains a blank which the testee must fill in based on the tape. Each blank consists of a single hiragana character which represents all or part of a grammatical item.
This research project has elucidated the following.
1 )The results of trials at several institutions under different circumstances have been analyzed and the results show the score of the SPOT to be highly reliable. (The numbers of the co-operative institutions are more than 50, including not only those in Japan but also in USA, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, etc.)
2) SPOT does not seem suitable for testing each discrete point of language knowledge, or the proficiency of each language skill such as reading, listening, writing and speaking, but is effective for testing integrated proficiency or processing ability in natural speed.
3)The phonetic variations (duration, pitch contour, devoicing or weakening of vowels or consonants) of the sentences read in the SPOT have a strong relation with the score.
4)The research suggests that SPOT ranks Japanese learners by measuring their automatic processing ability.
5) SPOT would be a good instrument to investigate the process and outcome of grammar acquisition by Japanese Language learners.

  • Research Products

    (16 results)

All Other

All Publications (16 results)

  • [Publications] 山元啓史、小林典子: "SPOTにおける文法項目と妥当性" 日本語教育方法研究会誌. 6-1. 58-59 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] フォード丹羽順子・酒井たか子: "学習時間数とSPOT得点の関係-インドネシア語話者、タイ語話者に対するSPOTの実施結果より-" 筑波大学留学生センター日本語教育論集. 14. 109-120 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Publications] Yamamoto, H,& Kobayashi, N.: "Grammar Items Used in SPOT and Its Validity (in Japanese)" Japanese Language Education Methods. 6-1. 58-59 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Ford-Niwa, J.& Sakai, T.: "Relationship between SPOT Scores and Length of Study (in Japanese)" Nihongo Kyoiku Ronshu 14, University of Tsukuba. 109-122 (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Kobayashi, N.: "Development of SPOT for the purpose of placing Japanese Languages Students" The Fourth International conference on Testing JFL ability : the SPOT project and related issues, University of Tsukuba. 1-7 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Sakai, T.: "Japanese language ability measured by Tsukuba Placement Test" ibid. 8-17 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Yamamoto, H.: "The data processing system and data file format of SPOT" ibid. 18-25 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Tohsaku, Y.: "The relation between learning opportunity and acquisition of grammar items : the degree of grammar acquisition as seen from the perspective of SPOT" ibid. 26-36 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Hatasa, Y.: "Analysis of four types of SPOT tests and length effects" ibid. 51-60 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Min, KJ.: "On phonetic variations of test sentences according to reading style" ibid. 61-66 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Ford, KJ.: "The two components of language performance and what SPOT measures" ibid. 67-72 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Yamamoto, H.: "Things that we wanted to measure and things that we could't measure" ibid. 87-91 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Hatasa, Y & Tohsaku.Y.: "SPOT as a Placement test" In H.M.Cook, et al.(eds) New trends and issues in teaching Japanese languaga and culture, University of Hawaii. (in press).

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Ford, NJ.: "Gengo unyooryoku no sokutee ni mukete : SPOT no kooseegainen datoosee ni tsuite" Josai International University Bulletin. 5 (2). 25-38 (1997)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Kobayashi, N.: "Nihongo nooryoku no atarashii sokuteehoo" Japanese Language Education around the Globe. 6. 201-218 (1996)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Publications] Ford, NJ., Kobayashi, N., & Yamamoto, H.: "Nihongo nooryoku kani shiken (SPOT) wa nani o sokutee shiteiru ka-onsee teepu yooin no kaiseki-" Nihongo kyooiku. 86. 93-102 (1995)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

URL: 

Published: 1999-12-08  

Information User Guide FAQ News Terms of Use Attribution of KAKENHI

Powered by NII kakenhi