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Answers and Discussion

Assessment Criteria for the Speaking Components

Flyers Speaking Component

Overview

The Flyers Speaking component lasts about 7-9 minutes.

Part	Main Skill focus	Input	Expected response
1	Understanding statements and responding with differences	Two pictures: examiner’s and candidate’s picture Oral statements about examiner's picture	Identify six differences in candidate's picture from statements about examiner's picture
2	Responding to questions with short answers Forming questions to elicit information	One set of facts and one set of question cues	Answer and ask questions about two people, objects or situations
3	Understanding the beginning of a story and then continuing it based on a series of pictures	Picture sequence	Describe each picture in turn
4	Understanding and responding to personal questions	Open-ended questions about the candidate	Answer personal questions

How are the Speaking tests conducted?

There is an usher who takes candidates into the examining room. This is usually someone the candidates know, such as their teacher. Then there is an oral examiner who will conduct the test on a one-to-one basis.

Before the Speaking test, when the children are in the waiting room, the usher should explain the procedure of the test. Usually this can be done in the children's first language so they will feel more relaxed about what is going to happen in the test. When the children are ready, the usher takes each child into the room where the examiner is waiting.

Understanding the Tasks

To understand what is required of candidates in this part of the test, look at this sample of a Flyers Speaking test, and think about the questions below.

Flyers Speaking sample test

Things to consider

Why are the tasks in the Speaking test organised in this way?
What is the examiner's role? How can this help candidates?
What language skills do candidates need for Part 2 of the test?
What advice would you give your students about Part 3? What can you do in the classroom to prepare them for this task?
How can you prepare your students for Part 4?