Speaking

Part 1

2 -5* min
General conversation with examiner (individually)
Personal questions:
- How old are you?
- What is your favourite colour?
- Are you married?

Part 2

2:30-3 min aprox (max. 4 min)
Time to speak with the other candidate(s)
- 1 min talking/person about the pic
- Afterwards, 30 sec reply
Compare two pictures and answer a question

Part 3

N/A
Discussion between candidates and take a final decission about a topic
Discussion + Agreement

Part 4

N/A
Three way conversation: candidates and examiner
Topic related to part 3
Natural Conversation

TOPICS

- Likes and dislikes
- Holidays and travel
- Daily life
- Education and work

- Free time
- Media
- Personal experience
- Science and technology

Part 1 - Interview Section

The interlocutor won’t respond to what candidates say in Part 1, but will interrupt candidates if they give long, prepared answers.
Good candidates expand briefly on their answers, giving one or two additional pieces of information.
One word answers are unsuitable, as are long ‘rambles’.
Although candidates are not actively invited to interact with each other at this stage, they may if they wish and so should listen carefully to their partner’s answers.

*5 min groups of 3

Part 1 - True or False?

1. a) The interlocutor asks you questions which you answer individually.
2. b) you are given a copy of the interlocutor’s questions.
3. c) the part lasts approximately 3 minutes.
4. d) you are tested on your ability to give personal information about yourself.
5. e) you only need to talk about past and present circumstances.
6. f) you should keep your answers as short as possible.
7. g) you and your partner are given the same number of questions to answer.
8. h) if you don’t hear or understand a question properly, you don’t need to answer it.

Answers

1. a) TRUE

Although candidates are not actively invited to interact with each other at this stage, they may if they wish and so should listen carefully to their partner’s answers.

1. b) FALSE At no stage of the Speaking test are candidates given a copy of the questions.
2. c) TRUE Note: 5 minutes for groups of three.
3. d) TRUE
4. e) FALSE Past,Present and Future circumstances can be tested.
5. f) FALSE

Candidates need to extend their answers beyond the minimum. Assessment begins as soon as the candidates introduce themselves, and Part 1 is when examiners get their first impressions of the candidates. One word answers are not usually adequate and candidates will lose marks for Interactive Communication if they give limited responses. Equally, candidates should not prepare long responses in advance. If a candidate does this, it often means that they don’t answer the question appropriately. It is also not effective Interactive Communication and examiners spot it easily. It is much better for students to have as much practice as possible talking about themselves and their lives with different people and different focuses, so that they feel more confident.

1. g) TRUE

Candidates will be asked roughly the same number of questions, but not necessarily the same questions. Candidates need to pay careful attention to the question they are asked and make sure they answer it appropriately. In this part of the test, the interlocutor leads the discussion so candidates don’t need to worry about turn-taking.

1. h) FALSE

Candidates must attempt to answer every question they are asked. They can ask for clarification if they don’t hear or understand something and the interlocutor will repeat it. No marks are lost for asking for clarification, so make sure that your students know this and that they have the appropriate strategies for requesting clarification. Tell students that they should ask for clarification, if they have any difficulties understanding a question, before starting to answer. However, they will get no marks for silence (if they are afraid to admit that they haven’t understood) and may lose marks for Interactive Communication if they answer a question inappropriately.

Sumary

f) The interlocutor gives Candidate A two photographs and briefly says what the photographs show. The interlocutor then asks Candidate A to compare the photographs and to answer a question related to them.
c) The interlocutor checks that Candidate A has understood what he/she has to do.
d) Candidate A speaks for about a minute about his/her photographs.
j) The interlocutor thanks Candidate A and retrieves the photographs.
h) The interlocutor asks Candidate B a question related to the theme of the Candidate A's photographs.
a) Candidate B speaks for approximately 30 seconds.
i) The interlocutor thanks Candidate B, then gives Candidate B two different photographs and briefly says what the photographs show. The interlocutor then asks Candidate B to compare the photographs and to answer a question related to them.
l) The interlocutor checks that Candidate B has understood what he/she has to do.
b) Candidate B speaks for about a minute about his/her photographs.
g) The interlocutor thanks Candidate B and retrieves the photographs.
e) The interlocutor asks Candidate A a question related to the theme of the Candidate B's photographs.
k) Candidate A speaks for approximately 30 seconds.

Part 2 - Long Turn

Part 2 - Rules Class Practice PDF Link

What is this task? This is the individual long-turn part. You speak for 1 minute without interruption, comparing two photos which the interlocutor gives you.

*The interlocutor will interrupt candidates when the time is up, and will wait for them to say more if their contribution is too short

What is the interaction? The interlocutor asks you questions which you answer on your own.
What skill is being assessed?Your ability to organize your thoughts and ideas and express yourself clearly using appropriate language.

Part 2 - True or False?

1. a) You talk to your partner for 1 minute.
2. b) You are given time to prepare what you are going to say.
3. c) Each candidate is given two different photographs.
4. d) You have to describe the visuals in detail and compare what you see.
5. e) Don’t let your partner see your pictures.
6. f) It’s okay if the interlocutor interrupts you.
7. g) You are asked to comment on your partners’ visuals.
8. h) You should try and finish the task as quickly as possible.

Answers

1. a) FALSE

Candidates should not speak during their partner’s long turn.

1. b) FALSE

Candidates should start talking immediately in order to make the most use of their time. They shouldn’t use the time that the interlocutor is speaking to prepare, as they will then miss the second part of the question. It’s important not to leave long silences, nor to say ‘that’s all’ – the interlocutor indicates when the candidate has spoken enough. Students need to practise comparing photographs as much as possible to improve their observation skills and increase their confidence.

1. c) TRUE

Candidates are asked to compare two different photographs. There is a thematic link between the visuals and this is explained to the candidates by the interlocutor. The important thing is that the candidate speaks clearly and coherently while sustaining a long turn.

1. d) FALSE

Although candidates have to compare the visuals, they shouldn’t describe them in detail. Rather, the interlocutor asks them to give some kind of personal reaction to them. Candidates must listen carefully to what the interlocutor says, and make sure that they answer this part of the question. If they don’t, they will probably find it hard to talk for a full minute. Teachers must make sure that their students are prepared for this and give plenty of varied classroom practice. If a candidate finds that they haven’t heard or understood the instructions, they shouldn’t be afraid to ask the interlocutor to repeat them. They aren’t penalised for doing this as long as they ask before they start answering. N.B. The question appears above the visuals.

1. e) FALSE

Partner A is asked to make a brief comment on the partner B's photographs after their partner’s long turn. Partners are not asked to compare the same photos.

1. f) TRUE

Because the test is timed, the examiner will stop candidates who talk for more than a minute. This is not a problem (if you have complered the task tho) and shows the candidate that they have spoken enough. With timed practice, students will learn to time themselves well so that they can complete the task and fill 1 minute without needing to repeat themselves.

1. g) TRUE

After the speaking candidate has finished, the listening candidate is asked to make a brief comment. This comment is only 30 seconds or so. The listening candidate needs to listen carefully to what their partner is saying but must always remember not to interrupt during their partner’s long turn.

1. h) FALSE

Candidates who finish early will be penalised, and they shouldn’t feel that they need to rush. They need plenty of timed practice in this activity so that they get a feel for how long a minute lasts. If they don’t practise, they may find that they run out of things to say before the minute is up. It’s good to avoid this, as candidates need to make the most of the time to show what they are capable of.