【明報專訊】The Speaking Examination (10% of the total subject mark)

The speaking examination consists of two parts: Part A, group interaction; and Part B, individual response.

Part A:

A group of candidates have to discuss an assigned topic based on given prompts. These prompts may be in prose form or presented graphically in tables, graphs, pictures etc. In this Part, candidates interact with their peers and are completely responsible for the progress of the discussion.

Part B:

Candidates need to answer the examiners' questions individually, without being given time to prepare or make notes.

Preparation time:

(10 minutes)

Candidates will be given a question paper and a notecard. They may use their notecards for making notes and are allowed to take them into the examination room. They should bring their own pen or pencil, read the instructions and understand the group interaction topic carefully.

In the Examination Room

As the examination process will be video-recorded, candidates are required to sit in a semi-circle facing the examiners.

Candidates should interact naturally as if there were no camera in the room, i.e. facing other members of their group or the examiner during the section of individual response.

座位圖

Part A: Group Interaction (8 minutes per group of 4 candidates)

The emphasis in this part of the exam is on candidates' interactive skills. Credit will be given if candidates can demonstrate that they are able to use interactive expressions and strategies appropriately. During the group interaction, candidates are not allowed to take notes but may refer to their notecard and to the question paper. When the group interaction is over, Part B (individual response) begins.

Part B: Individual Response (1 minute per candidate)

An examiner will ask each candidate at least one question related to the group interaction topic. There is no preparation time. They need to listen to and understand the questions asked and respond appropriately. Each candidate will be asked different questions and have up to one minute to respond. The examiner may ask one or more questions depending on the candidate's response within the time allowed and will only start the timer after asking the first question. Candidates may refer to their notecards if necessary.

Scoring

Each candidate will be assessed independently by two examiners. The two parts are assessed together and not separately weighted. Candidates are assessed on the quantity, quality and organisation of their ideas; the clarity and accuracy of their pronunciation and delivery; the appropriacy and accuracy of their vocabulary and language patterns; and their ability to establish and maintain interaction in both parts of the speaking examination.

There are 4 domains of assessment:

‧Pronunciation and delivery,

‧communication strategies,

‧vocabulary and language patterns, and

‧ ideas and organisation.

A candidate will be awarded a mark from 0 to 7 on each of the four domains. The maximum mark awarded by each of the two examiners is 28, resulting in a total of 56 marks.