ESOL Skills for Life

1A

The interlocutor asks each candidate in turn simple personal questions designed to elicit factual information.

The interlocutor asks each candidate in turn straightforward personal questions designed to elicit factual information, personal experience, wishes and opinions.

The interlocutor asks each candidate introductory questions. Candidates are then given a task in which they ask each other questions on a given familiar topic, prompted where necessary to elicit factual information, personal experience, wishes and opinions.

1B

The candidates ask each other simple questions on a familiar topic. Only the questions are assessed.

Candidates talk in turn for one minute on a personal topic, designed to elicit factual information and personal experience, before answering two questions prepared by their partner. The long-turn, questions and responses are all assessed.

Candidates talk in turn for one and a half minutes on a familiar topic, designed to elicit factual information, personal experience, wishes and opinions, in a more demanding and less familiar context than in Entry 2. Each candidate will then answer three questions prepared by their partner. The long-turn, questions and responses are all assessed.

2A

Candidates listen to one or two short recordings and answer questions designed to test gist and detailed understanding of simple factual information. The questions may be presented orally, or with a series of picture prompts.

Candidates listen to one or two longer recordings with more information to process than at Entry 1, and answer questions. These are designed to test gist, main points and detailed understanding of straightforward information. The questions may be presented orally, or with a series of picture prompts.

Candidates listen to one or two longer recordings with more complex information to process than at Entry 2, and answer questions. These are designed to test gist, main points and detailed understanding of information, tone of speaker, intention etc. The questions are presented orally.

2B

Candidates speak together on a simple topic thematically linked with the previous task and designed to elicit factual information, personal experience and (dis)likes. It is expected that prompting will be required from the interlocutor.

Candidates speak together on a straightforward topic thematically linked with the previous task and designed to elicit factual information, personal experience, opinion and justification. It is likely that some prompting will be required from the interlocutor.

Candidates speak together on a topic thematically linked with the previous task. The context is more demanding than at Entry 2. The task is designed to elicit factual information, personal experience, opinion, justification and speculation. Little prompting should be required from the interlocutor.

1A

After identifying each candidate, the interlocutor then gives candidates a short, informal, lead-in discussion task to prepare them for their formal presentation. The interlocutor only asks prompt questions where necessary to elicit and encourage elaboration of opinions, feelings, wishes and suggestions.

After identifying each candidate, the interlocutor then gives candidates an informal, lead-in discussion task to prepare them for their formal presentation. The interlocutor only asks prompt questions where necessary to elicit and encourage elaboration of opinions, justifications, feelings, wishes and suggestions.

1B

Each candidate gives a formal presentation, thematically linked with phase 1a, responding to a written statement, for two minutes, expressing, elaborating on and sequencing logically facts, opinions, attitudes, feelings and emotions. Each candidate will then respond to the comments and questions of their partner and the assessor.

Each candidate gives a formal presentation, thematically linked with phase 1a, on a more complex issue than at Level 1, responding to a written statement, for two minutes, expressing, elaborating on and sequencing logically facts, opinions, justifications, attitudes, feelings and emotions. Each candidate will then respond to the comments and questions of their partner and the assessor.

2A

Candidates listen to two recordings and answer questions testing identification or inference of a selection of the following: genre, context, speakers and/or relationship, gist, topic, purpose of discussion, key words and phrases, main ideas, facts, opinions, reasons, attitudes and feelings. The questions are presented orally, and candidates are able to make notes if they wish to.

Candidates listen to two recordings and answer questions testing identification or inference of a selection of the following: genre, context, speakers and/or relationship, gist, topic, purpose of discussion, key words and phrases, main and secondary ideas, facts, opinions, reasons, justifications, attitudes and feelings. The questions are presented orally, and candidates are able to make notes if they wish to.

2B

Candidates engage in a discussion - thematically linked with phase 2a - designed to elicit, and encourage elaboration of, factual information, personal experience, opinions, wishes, feelings, suggestions, justification and speculation. Candidates will be expected to express degrees of agreement or uncertainty, and to sympathise, reassure, persuade and give advice where appropriate.

In the first part of this phase, the interlocutor only asks prompt questions where necessary to ensure satisfactory completion of the task.

In the second part, the interlocutor asks extension questions to lead the discussion into other areas and contexts.

Candidates engage in a discussion - thematically linked with phase 2a - designed to elicit, and encourage elaboration of, factual information, personal experience, opinions, wishes, feelings, attitudes, suggestions, justification and speculation. Candidates will be expected to express degrees of agreement or uncertainty, and sympathise, reassure, persuade, compromise and give advice where appropriate.

In the first part of this phase, the interlocutor should not need to ask prompt questions to ensure satisfactory completion of the task.

In the second part, both the interlocutor and the assessor ask extension questions to lead the discussion into other areas and contexts.