Skills for Life Teaching Resources

Phase

Task Types and Format

Timing

1a

All candidates are asked to give (and spell) their name and to give their nationality.

Entry 1 and 2

Questions are selected by the interlocutor for each candidate on one or more general topics. These questions are designed to elicit language at the appropriate level and may include areas such as home, work, study and future plans. If the candidates have problems understanding or answering these questions the interlocutor will prompt them with further questions worded at the appropriate level.

Entry 3

Candidates are also asked how long they have lived in Britain. They are then given a task in which they ask each other questions on a given familiar topic, for example previous studies and learning, for about three minutes. Again, if the candidates have problems understanding or answering these questions the interlocutor will prompt them with questions worded at the appropriate level.

4-5 minutes

1b

Entry 1

The candidates ask each other questions on familiar topics, e.g. clothes, shopping, friends and the weather. The interlocutor sets up the task by selecting one topic for each candidate. The candidates are given a minute and a half to think about their questions. They may ask for clarification if they do not understand the task. After the preparation time, each candidate is allowed up to 2 minutes to ask their partner the questions they have thought of. At Entry 1 the candidates are assessed on the questions they ask in this phase, not on the answers that they give.

Entry 1

5 minutes

Entry 2

Each candidate is required to talk for about a minute on a personal topic before answering 2 questions prepared by their partner. Topics might include areas such as work experience, what they enjoy doing with friends, interesting places in the area and so on. Candidates are given a minute to think about what they are going to say, and are allowed to ask the interlocutor for clarification if they are unsure of what they have to do. After the preparation time, each candidate is given about a minute to talk about their topic and then further time to answer the questions their partner asks them.At this level, candidates are assessed on both the questions they ask and the answers they give.

Entry 2

6 minutes

Entry 3

At E3 the format is the same as at E2 but the candidate is expected to talk for one and a half minutes and has to answer three questions prepared by their partner. The topics are appropriate to the level and might include areas such as ‘a famous person you admire’ or ‘the things you have done to improve your English’. At this level the topics are based around a scenario, e.g. ‘A friend of yours wants to improve his English and needs some advice...’ This is not the case at E2. The interlocutor sets up the task by describing the scenario to the candidates.

Entry 3

7 minutes

The format of this part of the test is similar at the three entry levels. Candidates listen to two parallel recordings. They are first given a gist question to answer after the first listening. The gist question is the same for both texts. It is presented orally, and candidates much choose the correct answer from three possible alternatives e.g. What is the message about? A job centre, a supermarket or a sports club. At E1 and E2, candidates are also shown a picture for each alternative to help them to answer.

Before they listen again, each candidate is asked two detail questions at E1, E2, and E3, which they answer after the second listening. Each candidate is asked to focus one of the texts. At the end of the second listening, the interlocutor asks each candidate their questions in turn.

Entry 1

4 minutes

Entry 2

4 minutes

Entry 3

5 minutes

At all three levels, candidates first talk together on a topic related to that of Phase 2a. The interlocutor has prompt questions to use if the interaction breaks down or remains below the appropriate level.

Entry 1

3-4 minutes

Entry 2

4-5 minutes

Entry 3

4-5 minutes