Section: Topic 3 | 0523 Chinese 2L ECR Speaking (2021)

Section outline

Now that you have read the speaking assessment criteria grids, 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 recordings to protect the identity of the candidate.
- Select activity High level response (1)
  
  High level response (1)
- Select activity Whole test - click to listen
  
  Whole test - click to listen
- Select activity Moderator comments - Part 1 Presentation Conduct o...
  
  Moderator comments - Part 1 Presentation
  
  Conduct of the test
  
  The teacher/examiner greets the candidate, introduces the first part of the test and asks the title of it before handing over the time to the candidate. This was a clear and welcoming start to the test.
  
  Candidate response
  
  The candidate chooses the topic ‘The difference in between Chinese and western culinary cultures’. The content is organised by comparing the diet focus, dining atmosphere, the main meal in a day, festival food, cooking method of the two cultures, etc. The timing is about 2 minutes and 20 seconds with a lot of information included.
  
  It is a good example of a full and well-organised coverage of the topic, combining both facts and opinions all the way through, plus a clear opinion in the conclusion.
  
  There is plenty evidence of precise and authentic vocabulary, and a confident use of a variety of complex structures such as 而，即，并，着，把，反观，由此可见，所以才会, etc.
  
  The whole presentation is smooth and sustains the moderator’s interest fully throughout.
  
  Content and Presentation = 10 out of 10
  Vocabulary = 5 out of 5
  Structures = 5 out of 5
  
  Total mark awarded = 20 out of 20
  
  Moderator comments - Part 2 Topic conversation
  
  Conduct of the test
  
  The teacher/examiner thanks the candidate for sharing their presentation and makes a clear transition to Part 2 Topic conversation.
  
  There are five questions asked in total, with the first one linking to the candidate’s personal experience. This is then followed by three questions which explore the candidate’s opinions and justifications. The last question ‘any taboos’ which is not mentioned in Part 1, gives the candidate the opportunity to use and demonstrate their knowledge of different vocabulary.
  
  The questions which the teacher/examiner asks are brief and clear and leaves plenty of time for the candidate to demonstrate her speaking skills.
  Candidate response
  The candidate always develops and elaborates her answer to each question. Where it was necessary to recap some of the content from the Presentation, she rephrases partially and sums up (西餐…对个人选择更注重一点; 中餐更注重整体，和乐融融的气氛) so that there is new opportunity and evidence for higher marks in Vocabulary and Structures.
  
  When presenting a point of view, the candidate gives multiple examples to support her ideas or justifies the opinions from both views and opinions. These show a sustained ability to initiate and maintain conversation and to contribute at a good length, which is the requirement for the highest level in the Conversations.
  
  Comprehension and Responsiveness = 10 out of 10
  Vocabulary = 5 out of 5
  
  Structures = 5 out of 5
  
  Total mark awarded = 20 out of 20
  
  Moderator comments - Part 3 General conversation
  
  Conduct of the test
  
  The teacher/examiner covers Topic Areas A and C in this part of the test which is appropriate as the Presentation was more about Topic Area D. This provides the possibility for the candidate to show new evidence and knowledge and gives the opportunity to gain more marks. The questions asked are open, searching for opinions and justifications, which leads to a natural and spontaneous conversation.
  
  Candidate response
  
  The candidate uses a wide range of vocabulary and structures, such as 了如指掌，早出晚归，继承事业，移民，首先，对我来说，让，etc.
  
  The responses are natural and extended and this creates a consistent performance from the candidate.
  
  Comprehension and Responsiveness = 10 out of 10
  Vocabulary = 5 out of 5
  Structures = 5 out of 5
  Total mark awarded = 20 out of 20
  
  Moderator comments - Whole test
  
  How the teacher/examiner performance could improve
  
  The teacher/examiner should avoid questions which may result in too much repetition by the candidate of the content from the previous section of the speaking test. In Part 2, the second question which asks for the main differences could have led the candidate to repeat materials from the Part 1 Presentation.
  How the candidate performance could improve
  
  In Part 3, the candidate used 旋律 for 节奏 in the context of 生活节奏. Some practice of synonyms would be useful.
  
  In Part 3, the candidate could have also included some examples of how others deal with pressure on top of her own experience to make a full answer.
  
  Total mark awarded = 60 out of 60