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APPENDIX A

STUDENT ORAL LANGUAGE OBSERVATION MATRIX

(SOLOM)

HIGHLINE ESL PROGRAM

STUDENT ORAL LANGUAGE OBSERVATION MATRIX

(SOLOM)

Based on your observation, mark an "X" across the square which best describes the pupil's abilities.

Level 1 2 3 4 5
A. COMPREHENSION Cannot be said to understand even simple conversation. Has great difficulty following what is said. Can comprehend only "social conversation" spoken slowly and with frequent repetitions. Understands most of what is said at slower-than-normal speed with repetitions. Understands nearly everything at normal speech, although occasional repetition may be necessary. Understands everyday conversation and normal classroom discussions without difficulty.
B. FLUENCY Speech is so halting and fragmentary as to make conversation virtually impossible. Usually hesitant: Often forced into silence by language limitations. Speech in everyday conversation and classroom discussion is frequently disrupted by the student's search for the correct manner of expression. Speech in everyday conversation and classroom dicussion is generally fluent, with occasional lapses while the student searches for the correct manner of expression. Speech in everyday conversation and classroom discussion is fluent and effortless approximating that of a native speaker.
C. VOCABULARY Vocabulary limitations so extreme as to make conversation virtually impossible. Misuse of words and very limited vocabulary make comprehension quite difficult. Frequently uses the wrong words; conversation somewhat limited because of inadequate vocabulary. Occasionally uses inappropriate terms and/or must rephrase ideas because of lexical inadequacies. Use of vocabulary and idioms approximates that of a native speaker.
D. PRONUNCIATION Pronunciation limitations so extreme as to make conversation virtually impossible. Very hard to understand because of pronunciation problems. Must frequently repeat in order to make himself/herself understood. Pronunciation problems neccessitate concentration on the part of the listener and occasionally leads to misunderstanding. Always intelligible, though one is conscious of a definite accent and occasional inappropriate intonation patterns. Pronunciation and intonation approximates that of a native speaker.
E. GRAMMAR: Errors in grammer and word order so severe as to make speech virtually unintelligible. Grammar and word order errors make comprehension difficult. Must often rephrase and/or restrict himself/herself to basic patterns. Makes frequent errors of grammar and word order which occasionally obscure meaning. Occasionally makes grammatical and/or word order errors which do not obscure meaning. Grammatical usage and word order approximates that of a native speaker.

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