Answers and Discussion

Assessment Criteria for the Speaking Components

Starters Speaking Component

Overview

The Starters Speaking component lasts about 3-5 minutes.

Part	Main Skill focus	Input	Expected response
1	Understanding and following spoken instructions	Scene picture	Point to correct part of the picture
2	Understanding and following spoken instructions	Scene picture and 8 small object cards	Place object cards on the scene picture as directed
3	Understanding and answering spoken questions	Scene picture	Answer questions with short answers
4	Understanding and answering spoken questions	3 object cards	Answer questions with short answers
5	Understanding and responding to personal questions	No visual prompt	Answer questions with short answers

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 Starters Speaking test, and think about the questions below.

      Starters Speaking sample test

Things to consider

1. Why are the different tasks in the test in this order?
   
   
2. Which tasks require a non-linguistic response? How can you prepare your students for these tasks?
   
   
3. What specific language skills should you teach and practise with your students?
   
   
4. What other things should you do to prepare your students and to help them feel more confident when they do their test?