OIETC Online Assessment
Spoken Task
Stage
Task
Time
1
Introduction, ID check, a couple of personal questions to warm up
3 minutes
2
Presentation (student led)
3 – 5 minutes
3
Question time on submitted written task (examiner led)
3 – 5 minutes
Stage 1
The spoken assessment will be done synchronously and will consist of the following stages:
You will be asked to show your ID to check your identity. The examiner will open up with a few personal
questions.
Stage 2
Consider the challenge listed below and prepare a short presentation on the topic:
Governments worldwide are encouraging more people to use public transport in order to reduce congestion and
air pollution. Do you think using public transport is a reliable and safe transport choice?
SPA 003
Your presentation must:
Include an argument in favour and an argument against
Include a personal reflection
Be between 3 – 5 minutes long.
The examiner might ask you to briefly introduce the topic of your presentation and give
them the code of
the task, but after that they will not assist or interrupt you in any way. You must start your presentation
by stating: “I will now begin my presentation” which will be the signal to start the timer; and end with
“thank you for your attention”, which will be a signal to turn the timer off.
Note that while you are allowed to use notes and / or cue cards, we strongly advise against reading and /
or memorising presentations.
Please see the assessment criteria below to inform your decisions
Stage 3
Stage three will be devoted to question time concerning the written essay. The aim of this stage is two-
fold, firstly, to evaluate your
spontaneous use of language, and secondly, to serve as deterrent to have
your essay written by someone else.
The examiner will focus their questions primarily on the following areas:
Clarification of facts and / or opinions presented in the essay
Reflection on the writing process
Personal experience
The examiner will be given a list potential questions to link to the essay and ask. These may include but
are not limited to:
Can you tell me a bit more about the source / sources you have used for this essay?
Can you tell about the aspects you were mostly impressed by?
The word
count for the essay is limited, is there anything else you would have liked to include in
your essay but had to leave out?
What were some of the most surprising facts you have encountered while planning the essay?
1
(IELTS 4)
2
(IELTS 4.5)
3
(IELTS 5)
4
(IELTS 5.5)
5
(IELTS 6)
6
(IELTS 6.5) and
above
Task Achievement
The response did not relate to
the assigned topic.
Alternatively, it did but not all
parts of the task were covered
and as a result content was
largely
irrelevant
The response partially met the task.
One of the parts of the task
was missing or was not fully
covered. Some
content given was irrelevant.
The response fully met the task.
All parts of the task were fully
covered. All content given was
relevant and informative.
Accuracy and
appropriacy of language
The lexis and grammar used
were basic and inappropriate
for the task. Errors were
frequent and impeded
communication.
The
lexis and grammar selected
were suitable but did not show a
great range or complexity. The
language used was usually correct,
errors did not impede
understanding.
The lexis and grammar selected
were suitable for the subject
matter. The language was largely
accurate; errors were infrequent
and did not obscure
understanding.
Fluency and discourse
management
Linking devices were used
sporadically. Hesitations and
repetition were frequent.
Content was over-rehearsed
and /or possibly read.
Ideas were linked using simple
linking devices. The students
showed some signs of hesitation
and / or repetition but without
impeding the communication.
Ideas were effectively linked using
a range of discourse markers. The
students spoke clearly, without
hesitations and repetition. The
delivery was natural and not over-
rehearsed.
Pronunciation
Delivery is largely
unintelligible, and there
appears to be little control
over phonological features at
word or sentence level.
Delivery poses a great strain
Delivery is not completely natural.
Pronunciation and / or intonation
sometimes pose strain on
the listener but the overall
message remains clear.
Delivery
is natural, pronunciation
is clear and intonation is coherent
with the key message.
Pronunciation does not cause
comprehension problems in an
international context.
Assessment Criteria for Speaking