The Speaking test contains three parts and should last for about 16 minutes.
Part 1 Interview
This part tests the candidates’ ability to provide information about themselves. It consists of an initial greeting, establishing where the candidates come from, and whether the candidates are working or studying at the moment. The interlocutor then asks one question, selected from a list of six, to each candidate in turn. The candidates do not need to talk to each other in this part of the test, though they may if they wish.
PART 2 Collaborative task
This part tests the candidates’ ability to engage in a discussion and to work towards a negotiated outcome of the task set.
The candidates are given spoken instructions and are provided with a visual stimulus (one or several photographs) to form the basis for a task which they carry out together. First, the candidates are asked a question which focuses on their reaction to aspects of one or more pictures, and they are given 1 minute to talk about this. After this, the interlocutor gives the candidates spoken instructions for a decision-making task.
Candidates are expected to work together towards a negotiated completion of the task and are assessed on their speaking skills while doing this; there is no right or wrong answer to the task. The task gives candidates the opportunity to show their range of language (speculating, evaluating, comparing, giving opinions, eliciting, negotiating, etc.) and their ability to manage a discussion.
PART 3 Long turn and discussion
This part tests the candidates’ ability to develop and sustain discourse, and to engage in discussion on the topics of the long turns.
Each candidate is given the opportunity to speak for 2 minutes without interruption. Each candidate in turn is given a card with a question on it, and there are also some ideas on the card which the candidates can make use of if they choose. Candidates should be aware that they must not speak during their partner’s long turn.
The listening candidate needs to pay attention while their partner is speaking as they will be asked a follow-up question after their partner has spoken. The candidate who has just finished their long turn will then be invited to join in. In this part, candidates need to be able to organise their thoughts and ideas, and express themselves coherently in appropriate language in the given time.
Following both candidates’ long turns and follow-up questions, the interlocutor leads a discussion which further explores the topics of the long turns.
Tips!
Speak clearly and audibly so that you can be heard by both the interlocutor and assessor, and paraphrase when you do not know or cannot remember a word.
Listen carefully to the instructions so that they know precisely what you have to talk about – you can ask for clarification of instructions before you begin a task.
You will be asked where you come from and whether you are working or studying at the moment. You will then be asked one question about your everyday life, work and study experience, where you are living, interests etc.
Take notice of the titles on the prompt sheet; keep your discussion focused, and ensure that the outcome is appropriate.
Be a good listener – always be ready to pick up on your partner’s points.
Practise the functional language needed to manage a discussion, i.e. how to move forward, re-direct if necessary, manage the conclusion, etc.
Remember, this is not a test of knowledge. It is quite acceptable to admit to not knowing much about a particular topic, but this should be followed by some sort of opinion in order to provide a large enough sample of language for assessment.