Speech processing and fluency model: New directions for improving speaking skills

Abstract

The framework of complexity, accuracy and fluency (CAF) has gained currency in the area of applied linguistics research, language teaching and testing in order to analyze the oral language performance of second language speakers ever since Skehan (1996) proposed it. Many studies have tried to relate CAF framework with the various models of speech processing in order to ground it psycholingustically. However, there is a need to offer more clarity regarding the psycholinguistics of speech processing and its specific relationship with the complexity, accuracy and fluency. This paper is an attempt to situate CAF framework on Levelt’s Model of Speech Processing (Levelt 1989) thereby providing it a stronger psycholinguistics foundation. It also aims to provide a more specific explanation about what gets reflected as accuracy, complexity and fluency in speech. The paper concludes by offering more specific questions that second language teachers in particular and applied linguists in general may consider exploring the concept further.