The Careers Powered By English series English Interview Skills Session 7 of 9 By Lado Management Consultants Adrian O’Donnell

Language Assessment Interview

Contents 1.The Art of Communication 2.Speaking Tests Brief Overview 3.Tips for Answering Questions 4.Sample TOEIC Test 5.Practice (TOEIC/BULATS)

The Art of Communication The quality of our thoughts is bordered on all sides by our facility with language. J. Michael Straczynski

When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say. Abraham Lincoln

When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen. Ernest Hemingway

Overview of Exam Types Different Types of Exams TOEIC BULATS FCE CAE CPE IELTS

What is being assessed? Language Skills Fluency and Coherence Pronunciation Grammar Intonation Interaction

Context of Questions Home town Family Work or study Leisure Future plans Social purposes

What score is a pass? TOEIC (no pass) – Speaking BULATS (no pass) - Bands 0,1-,1=,1+,2-,2=, …..5+ FCE,CAE,CPE - Grades A,B,C IELTS (no pass) – Bands 1-8

Tips for answering Questions

Listen carefully Don’t jump in. Clarify if you are unsure what the question is.

Keep it simple Avoid complicated explanations or grammar if you are not sure about them.

Think first! 'That's a good question.' 'Well, let me think...' 'It's funny you should ask...' 'Well, to make a long story short...' 'Well, to be honest...' 'It's difficult to say...'

Ask for explanations If you don't understand what you are meant to do, ask the examiner to explain.

Use full sentences Avoid single word answers or lists.

Finish the task Make sure that you leave some time for explaining your own views.

Keep speaking ‘Please give me a moment while I think about the answer.’ ‘Let me see... what do these photographs show?’

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Questions 1 & 2 Read a Text aloud Evaluation Criteria - Pronunciation - Intonation and Stress Look at your handout

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Question 3 Describe a picture Evaluation Criteria - Pronunciation - Intonation and Stress - Grammar - Vocabulary - Cohesion

Describe this picture

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Questions 4-6 Respond to Questions Evaluation Criteria - as previously + - Relevance of content - Completeness of content

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Questions 7-9 Responding to Questions using information provided Evaluation Criteria - as for Questions 4-6 Look at handout

Look at this information

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Question 10 Propose a Solution Evaluation Criteria - as for Questions 4-6 Look at handout

Sample Speaking Test (TOEIC) Question 11 Express an Opinion Evaluation Criteria - as for Questions 4-6 Look at handout

Practice