Section outline
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Now that you have read the mark schemes, you may want to practise marking a Speaking Test. Listen to the candidate responses below, make a note of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate and give a mark, before you read the examiner comments and marks below.
Please note: Information about the candidate and centre has been removed from the recording to protect the identity of the candidate.
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High level response
- Whole test - click to listen
- Whole test - click to listen
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Section 1: Presentation
- Presentation - click to listen
- Presentation - click to listen
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Content and Presentation: The candidate choses to talk about Le vin en France. The candidate has prepared and organised the topic thoroughly, but the presentation is almost exclusively factual, lacking ideas and opinions.
The presentation is slightly stilted in spite of the enthusiasm of the candidate for the subject. This topic, though seems ideal, presents some difficulties for many candidates who choose to tackle it as they find it very difficult to raise what they say above the factual.
The candidate concludes the presentation by asking the teacher/examiner a question. However, questions should arise within the conversation sections and therefore this question could not be considered in the assessment of Seeking Information and Opinions.
As there are no ideas or opinions, the presentation will not be placed in the ‘Very good’ mark band but categorised as 'Good'.
Mark awarded = 8 out of 10 [Good]
Pronunciation and Intonation: There are minor errors of pronunciation: youtilisé for utilisé, hectares pronounced in the English way, ils ont pronounced ils sont . Intonation does not sound authentically French.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Language: The candidate speaks fluently and includes some unusual vocabulary (une lapalissade ). There is a reasonable range of structures used, but the wider range typical of the 'Very good' mark band is not present.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Total mark awarded for the Presentation = 16 out of 20
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Section 2: Topic Conversation
- Topic Conversation - click to listen
- Topic Conversation - click to listen
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Comprehension & Responsiveness: The discussion rarely rises above the factual, although the candidate understands the teacher/examiner’s questions and is able to give an informed reply immediately. However, the teacher/examiner’s questions do not require the candidate to present or defend a point of view.
This puts the candidate in the 'Good' (7–8 marks) mark band rather than the 'Very good' (9–10 marks) mark band.
Mark awarded = 7 out of 10 [Good]
Accuracy: There are errors of tense and agreement: quand le vin ne sont pas tellement du sucre comme le vigneron le souhaitait , c’est ajoute l’amertume, les jeunes peut savoir, on utilisait for on utilise.
On balance, the candidate just gets into the 'Good' (7–8 marks) mark band.
Mark awarded = 7 out of 10 [Good]
Feel for the Language: Although there is some influence from the mother tongue, particularly in the way sentences are constructed, it is not significant and does not impede communication.
Mark awarded = 7 out of 10
Providing Information and Opinions: The candidate’s responses are not compromised by limitations of vocabulary or structures, and she shows that she is familiar with the specialised vocabulary of wine production.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Seeking Information and Opinions: The candidate asks two questions relevant to the conversation.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Total mark awarded for the Topic Conversation = 30 out of 40
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Section 3: General Conversation
- General Conversation - click to listen
- General Conversation - click to listen
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Comprehension & Responsiveness: The candidate is able to understand the teacher/examiner’s questions and responds readily and fully, although the discussion rarely rises above the factual.Mark awarded = 8 out of 10 [Good]
Accuracy: Accuracy is weaker here than in the Topic Conversation.
There are many errors : plus bon for mieux, je suis vivre for j’habite, aller à la l’universitaire for aller à l’université, différents types for de différents types, mon frère l’aîné, le japonnaise for le japonnais (whereas the candidate’s use of chinois is correct).
In general, the candidate’s language is more basic than in the Presentation.
Mark awarded = 6 out of 10 [Satisfactory]
Feel for the Language: There is greater influence from the mother tongue here than in the Topic Conversation.
Mark awarded = 6 out of 10 [Satisfactory]
Providing Information and Opinions: The candidate’s responses are not compromised by limitations of vocabulary or structures.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Seeking Information and Opinions: The candidate asks three questions, but there is not enough variety in the question forms for the 'Very good' mark band.
Mark awarded = 4 out of 5 [Good]
Total mark awarded for General Conversation = 28 out of 40
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Moderator comments (Whole test)
Conduct of the test:The teacher/examiner introduces each section clearly. The test falls slightly short of the recommended timing. It is recommended that these timings are observed so candidates have ample time and opportunity to access the higher marks. The examiner creates a friendly atmosphere, establishes a sense of pace and keeps his answers to the candidate’s questions brief. The examiner opens the General Conversation by continuing the Topic Conversation, but then covers a wide range of topics, although none in great depth.How the teacher/examiner performance could improve:• Observe the prescribed time-frame of the examination.
• Do not ask questions about the Presentation in the General Conversation, even as a bridge.• Explore fewer topics at greater depth in the General Conversation.
How the candidate performance could improve:• Choose a topic which is more suitable for in-depth discussion.
• To be awarded 'Very good', there has to be a discussion of ideas and opinions.
• Vary question forms in the conversation sections.Common mistakes and misconceptions:• Candidates should not ask questions at the end of the presentation before any further discussion has taken place. Such questions do not count towards the assessment of 'Seeking Information and Opinions'. The intention is that questions should arise naturally out of the conversation.
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