Interviewer behaviour during oral proficiency interviews: A gender perspective

Abstract

The article investigates the behaviour of interviewers during the oral proficiency interview within the framework of the national examination in the English language in Estonia from the gender perspective. The research investigates whether noticeable differences can be traced in the behavioural patterns of male and female interviewers that could lead to placing the candidates in a disadvantaged position, not allowing them to display their language proficiency to the full. The study involves nine female and nine male interviewers whose interview language is subjected to content analysis. The results show an overall attempt to follow the scripted interview format envisaged for this examination, but alterations to the script prevail with both gender groups. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5128/ERYa9.14

Keywords

• interviewer, oral proficiency interview, validity, reliability, scripted interview, gender variation, standardisation