G. Ockey, C. Chapelle, Erika Latham, Liberato Silva-Dos-Santos, J. Beck, Şebnem Kurt, Fatimah Aseeri, Widya Kusumaningrum, Febriana Grundy, Hwee Jean Cindy Lim, Inyoung Na, A. Susanto, Shuhui Yin, K. Challis, Qi Qi, G. Kim, Duong Nguyen, Ali Ebrahimpourlighvani, Junghee Byun
2026.1.1Language Assessment Quarterly
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pearson’s Versant English Speaking and Listening Test (VESLT) is an automated online assessment designed to assess the oral communication abilities of English learners. We reviewed this test with the aim of determining how effectively it achieves its purpose. We judged that four of the six tasks effectively tapped into most aspects of the construct of oral communication. Despite some limitations, we concluded that the test represents a big step forward in the quest for an effective automated assessment of oral communication.
Citation format
OCKEY, G., et al. A review of pearson’s versant english speaking and listening test (VESLT). Language Assessment Quarterly, 2026, 23(1): 89–103.