International English for Speakers of

Other Languages (Speaking)

Assessing Speaking Performance

Assessment Criteria & Markschemes

January 2021
Version 01.1
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Contents

About LanguageCert ....................................................................................................................................... 4

LanguageCert International ESOL Qualifications....................................................................................... 4

Exam structure and format ............................................................................................................................ 4

Assessing Speaking Performance.................................................................................................................. 6

The Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 7

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Preliminary A1................................................. 8

A1 Markscheme ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Access A2 ....................................................... 10

A2 Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Achiever B1.................................................... 12

B1 Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Communicator B2 ......................................... 14

B2 Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 15

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Expert C1 ....................................................... 16

C1 Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Mastery C2 ..................................................... 18

C2 Markscheme .............................................................................................................................................. 19

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About LanguageCert
LanguageCert is an Ofqual recognised Awarding Organisation responsible for the development
and award of language qualifications. LanguageCert’s mission is to offer high quality language
qualifications that are truly fit-for purpose for the candidates they serve.

LanguageCert International ESOL Qualifications

LanguageCert ESOL International qualifications are designed for candidates who are not native
speakers of English and who wish to achieve a high quality, internationally recognised qualification
in English. They are designed to reference the descriptions of language proficiency in the Common
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The LanguageCert International ESOL Speaking qualifications are separately administered spoken
examinations available at the same levels as the International ESOL (Listening, Reading and
Writing) suite of qualifications. They can be taken either as a paper-based exam at a test centre, or
as a computer-based exam, with online proctoring.

Exam structure and format

The structure is the same across all levels of the exam to ensure consistency and at the same time
the candidates’ familiarity with the exam format, requiring minimum teaching time dedicated to
preparing for a test.

Table 1| Exam structure

Level Duration Structure

A1 - Preliminary
6 minutes
Part 1
Personal
A2 - Access 9 minutes information

Part 2
Achiever 12 minutes Situational
role plays

Communicator 13 minutes Part 3

Exchanging
information
Expert 15 minutes
Part 4
Long turn
Mastery 17 minutes

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Table 2| Exam format

Skill & Focus Task

Speaking Part 1

to communicate personal information • Spell name

to communicate opinions and ideas on a • Give country of origin

variety of topics
• Answer up to five questions
Speaking Part 2

• Two or three situations are presented by

to communicate appropriately in real-life
the interlocutor and candidates are
situations using a range of functional language
required to respond to and initiate
interactions.

• Exchange information to identify

to exchange information to complete a simple
task (Preliminary / Access) similarities and differences in pictures of
Speaking Part 3

familiar situations at Preliminary and

to co-operate to reach agreement/decision
Access levels.
(Achiever / Communicator)

to engage in discussion and to justify, • Hold a short discussion to plan, arrange

challenge and persuade when expressing and or decide on a topic using visual prompts
eliciting opinion (Expert / Mastery) at Achiever, and written text as the
prompt at the three higher levels.

• After 30 seconds of preparation time,

talk about a topic provided by the
to present a topic
interlocutor
to demonstrate the ability to use sentences
and produce a piece of connected spoken ▪ Preliminary – for half a minute
Speaking Part 4

English ▪ Access – for 1 minute

to narrate, communicate ideas and express ▪ Achiever – for 1 and a half minutes

opinions ▪ Communicator – for 2 minutes

to speak in depth on one topic from a wide ▪ Expert – for 2 minutes

range of abstract and complex subjects ▪ Mastery – for 3 minutes

• Answer follow-up questions

More information on LanguageCert qualifications, support materials and webinars, together with our
full series of official practice papers can be found on our website [Link]

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Assessing Speaking Performance
The aim of the LanguageCert International ESOL qualifications is to demonstrate a candidate’s
ability to communicate using the English language across the CEFR levels. The main objective of
the speaking exam, therefore, is to enable the candidate to produce language – but not just any
language – language which is diverse in function and appropriate in content, and we want this to
happen in a friendly and non-threatening environment and in a fair and transparent manner, so that
the speaking exam has a positive impact on the candidate’s learning experience. What we are trying
to achieve is for the LanguageCert exams to have a positive washback, and to be an integral part
of the learning process despite being standardised assessment.

The LanguageCert Speaking tests are conducted by trained interlocutors. LanguageCert

interlocutors go through a training and certification process, to ensure that all speaking exams are
conducted consistently around the world. Additionally, interlocutor performance during live exam
sessions is regularly monitored.
The assessment of the speaking exam is conducted either by Marking Examiners or Marking
Interlocutors, who are separately trained and regularly standardised and monitored to ensure
consistency and objectivity of assessment.

Candidates are assessed against four assessment criteria. Each level has its own markscheme with
detailed descriptors for Task Fulfilment and Coherence, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation,
Intonation and Fluency. Brief definitions of the assessment criteria follow in the table below.

Table 3| Assessment criteria

Criteria Description

Task Fulfilment and The ability to engage in effective communicative exchanges and
Coherence connect utterances

Accuracy and Range The ability to vary and demonstrate control of grammatical
of Grammar structures as appropriate to the task

Accuracy and Range The ability to vary and demonstrate control of lexis and register
of Vocabulary as appropriate to the task

Pronunciation, The ability to produce the sounds of English in order to be

Intonation and understood with appropriate stress and intonation and maintain
Fluency the flow of speech

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The Markscheme
At each level, an analytical markscheme is used to determine whether candidates are below, at or
above the standard required, in their demonstrated speaking performance. The markscheme for
each level is divided into four bands from 0 to 3, with 0 being the lowest and 3 the highest.
Descriptors for each criterion are provided for each band and indicate what a candidate is expected
to demonstrate at each one.

The statements in band two describe the candidate’s expected performance at the particular level
in order to demonstrate competence at that CEFR level. The bands above and below indicate how
well or not the candidate performs the actual tasks.

The IESOL Speaking Qualification Handbook, available on the LanguageCert website

[Link], includes a syllabus outlining the standards a learner must achieve to gain a
pass and also describes the grammar areas expected at each of the six levels of the examination.
This can help teachers understand the performance required and to distinguish between, for
instance, the range of prepositional phrases expected at lower and more advanced levels.

Use for teachers

Please note that even with all the information in your hands (i.e. markschemes, grammar syllabus,
CEFR descriptors), assessing your students’ performance may still be a challenging task, especially
if you are also conducting the exam as an interlocutor. The markschemes are provided to help you
gain insight into your students’ strengths and weaknesses so that you can provide them with
feedback on their performance, and to make you consider your students’ preparedness for the
exam, but it would be unrealistic to expect a completely aligned performance between a mock and
a live exam.

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Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Preliminary A1

Criteria Description

The candidate is able to fulfil the aim of the tasks and can
take part in simple routine exchanges by responding and
Task Fulfilment and

taking turns. The candidate relies on the support of the

Task fulfilment interlocutor to initiate, maintain or repair the interaction, but
Coherence

can interact in a simple way. There may be some limited

expansion in response to predictable questions. The
intended message is usually communicated.

The candidate is generally able to link words and groups of

Coherence words in a simple way using simple connectors, such as ‘and’
‘then’ etc.

The candidate can use a limited range of structures and

Accuracy and Range sentence patterns at A1 level to communicate intended
of Grammar meaning. Noticeable errors occur, and may occasionally
impede communication.

The candidate can use a limited range of A1 level vocabulary

Accuracy and Range to communicate basic information about personal details
of Vocabulary and some concrete situations. Noticeable errors occur, and
may occasionally impede communication.

The candidate can speak clearly enough to be understood by

Intonation and Fluency

Pronunciation a sympathetic listener, despite marked first language

Pronunciation,

and Intonation features. Noticeable errors occur, but the message is usually
communicated.

The candidate is able to speak for short periods, although

with noticeable hesitations between utterances. There may
Fluency
be pauses to search for language and attempts to repair
communication, but the message is usually communicated.

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A1 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence Range of Range of Intonation and Fluency
Grammar Vocabulary
3 - Tasks are fulfilled - A range of A1 - A range of A1 - Pronunciation is
effectively level grammar is level vocabulary sufficiently clear
- Interaction generally used is used despite first language
relies on the support of - A reasonable - Errors may influences
the interlocutor level of accuracy occur, but do not - Noticeable
- Intended message is - Errors may occur, impede pronunciation errors
usually communicated but do not impede communication - The flow of language
despite occasional communication is maintained, generally
misunderstandings with interlocutor
- Use of very simple support
connectors - Some hesitations and
reformulations may be
noticeable
2 - Tasks are mostly fulfilled - A limited range of - A limited range - Pronunciation can be
- Interaction relies on the A1 level grammar of A1 vocabulary understood with some
support of the interlocutor is used is used effort
- The intended message is - Some evidence of - Errors occur, - First language
usually communicated grammatical and the message influences may obscure
despite noticeable control may occasionally the message
misunderstandings - Errors occur and be obscured - The flow of language
- Some use of simple the message may is maintained in very
connectors occasionally be short utterances
obscured - Frequent hesitations
and reformulations
1 - Tasks remain largely - Insufficient range - Range of - Unclear pronunciation
unfulfilled and control of A1 vocabulary is too prevents clear
-Interaction breaks down level language limited to deal understanding
despite the support of the - Frequent errors with the A1 level - Long hesitations and
interlocutor obscure the tasks reformulations impede
- Frequent failure to intended message - Vocabulary communication
respond errors often
- Contributions lack obscure the
relevance intended
- Intended message is not message
successfully communicated
- Ideas mostly expressed
through unconnected
words and phrases
0 - Tasks are largely - Lacks the - Lacks the - Unclear pronunciation
unattempted and intended language to vocabulary to prevents any
message is not attempt the tasks attempt the tasks understanding
communicated - The intended - The intended - Frequent hesitation
- No connected language message is message is prevents any
- OR insufficient sample of generally obscured generally communication
language to assess - OR insufficient obscured - OR insufficient sample
sample of - OR insufficient of language to assess
language to assess sample of
language to
assess

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Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Access A2

Criteria Description
The candidate is able to fulfil the aims of the tasks and can
manage simple routine exchanges by responding and taking
Task Fulfilment and

turns. The candidate generally requires the support of the

Task fulfilment interlocutor to initiate, maintain or repair the interaction, but
Coherence

can contribute relevant points. Although misunderstandings

may occasionally occur, the intended message is usually
communicated.
The candidate is generally able to link phrases through the use
Coherence of simple connectors, linking ideas with ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘because’
etc.
The candidate uses a range of A2 level grammar to
Accuracy and Range communicate in a limited way, often relying on memorised
of Grammar phrases and formulae. Noticeable errors occur, but the
intended message is usually communicated.
The candidate uses a range of vocabulary at A2 level to
Accuracy and Range communicate basic information on familiar topics in simple
of Vocabulary everyday situations. Noticeable errors occur, but the intended
message is usually communicated.
The candidate can speak clearly enough to be generally
Intonation and Fluency

understood, despite noticeable first language features.

Pronunciation
Although intonation errors and mispronunciations are
Pronunciation,

and Intonation
noticeable, the intended message is generally communicated
to a sympathetic listener.
The candidate is generally able to manage the conventions of
turn taking in short exchanges, but does not generally initiate
Fluency or sustain the interaction. There may be noticeable hesitation
and reformulation, especially when less-familiar topics are
discussed, but the intended message is usually communicated.

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A2 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Range Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence of Grammar Range of Intonation and Fluency
Vocabulary
3 - Tasks are fulfilled with - A range of A2 level - A sufficient - Pronunciation is
relative ease grammar is used range of A2 level sufficiently clear
- Interaction is - Grammar is vocabulary is despite first language
maintained with support sufficiently accurate used to deal with influences
from the interlocutor - Errors may occur, the tasks - Noticeable
- Contributions are but do not impede - Errors may pronunciation errors do
mostly relevant communication occur, but do not not impede
- Intended message is impede communication
mostly communicated communication - The flow of language
- Ideas are clearly linked is generally maintained,
and sequenced occasionally without
interlocutor support
- Occasional hesitations
and reformulations may
be noticeable
2 - Tasks are mostly - A limited range of - A range of A2 - Pronunciation is
fulfilled A2 level grammar is vocabulary is sufficiently clear for
- Interaction relies on the used used to deal with general understanding
support of the - Grammar is the tasks - First language
interlocutor generally accurate - Errors occur, influences may
- Contributions are - Errors occur and and may occasionally obscure
broadly relevant may occasionally occasionally the message
- The intended message obscure the obscure the - The flow of language
is generally message message in short exchanges is
communicated despite generally maintained
occasional with the support of the
misunderstandings interlocutor
- Ideas are simply linked - Frequent hesitations
and sequenced and reformulations do
not impede
communication
1 - Tasks remain largely - Range of grammar - Range of - Unclear pronunciation
unfulfilled is too limited to deal vocabulary is too leads to frequent
- Interaction breaks down with the A2 level limited to deal difficulty in
despite the support of tasks with the A2 level understanding
the interlocutor - Frequent errors tasks - Long hesitations and
- General failure to often make the - Vocabulary reformulations lead to
respond or initiate message difficult to errors often frequent breakdowns in
- Contributions lack follow obscure the communication
relevance intended
- Intended message is not message
successfully
communicated
- Ideas mostly expressed
through unconnected
words and phrases
0 - Tasks are unfulfilled and - Lack of control in - Lacks the - Unclear pronunciation
intended message is not basic structures vocabulary to prevents understanding
communicated - The intended attempt the tasks - Frequent hesitation
- No connected language message is generally - The intended prevents
- OR insufficient sample obscured message is communication
of language to assess - OR insufficient generally - OR insufficient sample
sample of language obscured of language to assess
to assess - OR insufficient
sample of
language to
assess

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Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Achiever B1

Criteria Description
The candidate is able to fulfil the tasks with a degree of
Task Fulfilment and Coherence

independence and generally doesn’t need additional support

from the interlocutor. On the whole, the interaction with the
interlocutor is maintained through the use of natural turn-
taking, and with only occasional need for clarification and/or
Task fulfilment
repetition. The candidate’s contributions are generally relevant
to the topic and to the interaction with the interlocutor,
although occasional misunderstandings may occur. The
candidate’s intended message is successfully communicated
most of the time.
The candidate is generally able to link ideas successfully in
Coherence simple ways and makes points that can be followed by a
sympathetic listener.
The candidate uses a relatively limited range of B1 level
grammar with a reasonable level of control. Noticeable errors
Accuracy and Range
still occur, especially when more complex ideas are being
of Grammar
expressed, but these errors do not generally impede
communication.
The candidate uses a range of vocabulary at B1 level to deal
with the tasks with a good level of control. Noticeable errors
Accuracy and Range
still occur, especially when unfamiliar topics and situations are
of Vocabulary
being discussed, but these do not generally impede
communication.
The candidate is generally intelligible. Although first language
Intonation and Fluency

influences and occasional mispronunciations may be clearly

Pronunciation
noticeable, these do not usually impede communication. The
Pronunciation,

and Intonation
candidate is generally able to use intonation to support
meaning, despite noticeable first language interference.
The candidate is generally able to maintain the flow of
language without undue hesitation. The candidate may need to
Fluency pause for grammatical and lexical planning or repair, especially
in longer stretches of free production, but the flow of language
remains comprehensible.

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B1 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence Range of Range of Intonation and Fluency
Grammar Vocabulary
3 - Tasks are fulfilled with little - A reasonable range - A sufficient range - Pronunciation is clearly
or no support from the of B1 level grammar of B1 level intelligible despite first
interlocutor is used vocabulary is used language influences
- Interaction is maintained - Grammar is to deal with the - Occasional
- Turn taking is natural sufficiently accurate tasks pronunciation errors do
- Contributions are relevant - Errors may occur, - Errors may occur, not impede
- Intended message is but do not impede but do not impede communication
successfully communicated communication communication - Intonation is used to
- Ideas are successfully linked help convey meaning
and sequenced - The flow of language is
generally maintained
without interlocutor
support
- Occasional hesitations
may be evident
2 - Tasks are mostly fulfilled - A relatively limited - A range of B1 level - Pronunciation is
with a degree of range of B1 level vocabulary is used sufficiently intelligible
independence grammar is used to deal with the for general
- Interaction is maintained - Grammar is tasks understanding
most of the time reasonably accurate - Major errors may - First language
- Turn taking is mostly natural - Major errors may occur, but do not influences on stress and
- Contributions are mostly occur, but the generally impede intonation are
relevant message is always communication noticeable, but meaning
- Intended message is mostly communicated remains clear
successfully communicated - Pronunciation and
- Ideas are mostly well linked intonation errors only
and sequenced occasionally impede
communication
- The flow of language is
generally maintained
despite some hesitation
- Hesitation may be more
evident in longer
stretches of free
production
1 - Tasks remain largely - Range of grammar - Range of - Unclear pronunciation
unfulfilled is too limited to vocabulary is too leads to difficulty in
- Interaction is only deal with the B1 limited to deal with understanding
maintained with the constant level tasks the B1 level tasks - Inappropriate
support of the interlocutor - Frequent errors - Vocabulary errors intonation and stress
- Very little natural turn taking sometimes make make the message patterns impede
takes place the message difficult to follow communication
- Contributions lack relevance difficult to follow - Long hesitations are
- Intended message is not evident, even in the
successfully communicated production of B1 level
- Ideas are not linked and the language
sequence of ideas is difficult
to follow
0 - The tasks are unfulfilled and - Lack of control - Lacks the - Unclear pronunciation
intended message is not even when using vocabulary to deal and/or intonation
communicated basic structures with the tasks prevents clear
- Utterances mainly consist of - The intended - The message is understanding
disconnected words and message is lost mostly lost - A great deal of
phrases - OR insufficient - OR insufficient hesitation places strain
- OR insufficient sample of sample of language sample of language on the listener
language to assess to assess to assess - OR insufficient sample
of language to assess

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Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Communicator B2

Criteria Description
The candidate is able to fulfil the tasks with relative ease and
confidence, managing the conventions of turn taking and
Task Fulfilment and

using appropriate phrases. The candidate clearly expresses

his/her intended message and is able to provide relevant
Task fulfilment
Coherence

supporting detail where appropriate. Content is generally

relevant to both the topic and to the interaction and
misunderstandings are rare. The candidate’s intended
message is successfully communicated.
A range of B2 level cohesive devices is used to create clear,
Coherence coherent discourse, although this may not always be sustained
in longer contributions.
The candidate uses a range of B2 level structures with a
Accuracy and Range
relatively good level of control. Errors may occur, but these
of Grammar
errors do not impede communication.
The candidate uses a range of vocabulary at B2 level to deal
with the tasks with a good level of control. The use of
Accuracy and Range vocabulary is appropriate to the context or situation. Some
of Vocabulary errors may occur, especially when less familiar topics and
situations are being discussed, but these do not impede
communication..
The candidate’s pronunciation is reasonably clear and can be
Intonation and Fluency

understood without difficulty. Although first language

Pronunciation influences and occasional mispronunciations may be
Pronunciation,

and Intonation noticeable, these do not impede communication. The

candidate is able to use appropriate intonation patterns to
support meaning.
The candidate is generally able to maintain the flow of
language without noticeable hesitation. The candidate may
Fluency
need to pause when searching for patterns and expressions,
but there is no undue strain on the listener.

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B2 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence Range of Range of Intonation and
Grammar Vocabulary Fluency
3 - Tasks are fulfilled with ease - A wide range of - A wide range of - Pronunciation is
and confidence B2 level grammar B2 level clear and natural
- Turn taking is spontaneous is used vocabulary is - Intonation is used to
and natural - There is a used to deal with convey meaning
- Contributions are fully consistently high the tasks effectively
relevant and detailed level of accuracy - Choice of - The flow of language
- Significant points are and control vocabulary is is maintained
appropriately highlighted - Occasional errors generally effectively
with supporting detail may occur, but are appropriate and - No evident
- Discourse is clear and often corrected effective hesitations
coherent and produced in an
appropriate style with a wide
range of B2 level cohesive
devices
2 - Tasks are fulfilled with - A good range of - A sufficient - Pronunciation is
relative ease B2 level grammar range of reasonably clear and
- Turn taking is naturally is used vocabulary is easily understood
handled - There is a good used to deal with - Stress and intonation
- Contributions are mostly level of accuracy the B2 tasks patterns are
relevant and control - Choice of appropriately used to
- Intended message is clearly - Some errors may vocabulary is help convey meaning
communicated. occur, but the generally - The flow of language
Misunderstandings are rare message is always appropriate and is generally
- Discourse is mostly clear and communicated effective maintained despite
coherent with use of B2 level - Some some hesitation
cohesive devices vocabulary errors - No undue strain on
occur, but do not the listener
impede
communication
1 - Tasks remain largely - Range of - Range of Unclear pronunciation
unfulfilled grammar is too vocabulary is too leads to undue strain
- Interaction is only limited to deal with limited to deal on the listener
maintained with the support the B2 level tasks with the B2 level - Inappropriate stress
of the interlocutor - Frequent errors tasks and intonation
- Little natural turn taking are noticeable, and - Vocabulary patterns impede
takes place may impede errors may make communication
- Contributions lack relevance communication the message - Frequent hesitations
- Intended message is only difficult to follow are evident, with
communicated with difficulty repetition and
- Ideas are linked together attempts to repair
simply and may be difficult to language
follow
0 - The tasks are unfulfilled and - Inadequate range - Lacks the - Unclear
intended message is not of grammar vocabulary to pronunciation and/or
successfully communicated - Frequent errors deal with the B2 intonation prevents
- Ideas are difficult to follow impede level tasks clear understanding
and not linked together into communication - The message is - Frequent hesitation
connected speech - OR insufficient obscured by places strain on the
- OR insufficient sample of sample of vocabulary errors listener
language to assess language to assess - OR insufficient - OR insufficient
sample of sample of language to
language to assess
assess

15
Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Expert C1

Criteria Description
The candidate is able to fulfil the tasks by interacting flexibly
Task Fulfilment and Coherence

and effectively. The candidate can manage the conventions of

turn taking and can clearly relate contributions to those of the
interlocutor. In fulfilling the tasks, the candidate provides
evidence of flexibility. For example, detailed complex
Task fulfilment
descriptions are produced, subtopics are clearly connected
and each point in an argument is fully supported before an
appropriate conclusion is reached. Content is consistently
relevant to both the topic and to the interaction and
misunderstandings do not occur..
The candidate can use a range of connectors and cohesive
Coherence devices to produce clear, smoothly flowing, well-structured
discourse, with a good degree of control.
The candidate uses a wide range of C1 level structures with a
Accuracy and Range
high level of accuracy. A few errors may occur when complex
of Grammar
structures are attempted, but these are generally corrected.
The candidate uses a broad range of vocabulary at C1 level to
deal with the tasks effectively with a good level of control.
Accuracy and Range The use of vocabulary is appropriate to the context or
of Vocabulary situation, and candidates can compensate for occasional gaps
in vocabulary knowledge through circumlocution. Although a
few slips may occur, there are no major vocabulary errors.
The candidate’s pronunciation is consistently clear and can be
Pronunciation readily understood. Stress and intonation patterns are
Intonation and
Pronunciation,

and Intonation sufficiently controlled for meaning to be supported and

Fluency

subtleties of meaning to be conveyed.

The candidate is able to use language in a fluent and
spontaneous manner with no noticeable pauses or hesitations.
Fluency
Only conceptually difficult subjects hinder a completely
smooth flow of language.

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C1 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence Range of Range of Intonation and
Grammar Vocabulary Fluency
3 - Tasks are fulfilled with - A wide range of - A consistently - Pronunciation is
flexibility and confidence C1 level grammar broad range of consistently clear and
- Turn taking is spontaneous, is used effectively C1 level natural
flexible and wholly natural - There is a vocabulary is - Stress and intonation
- Contributions are always consistently high used patterns are used
fully relevant and sufficiently level of accuracy - Choice of effectively to convey
detailed and control vocabulary is subtleties of meaning
- Points are supported with - Errors are very consistently - A spontaneous flow
precise and complex rare and appropriate and of natural language is
supporting detail unobtrusive effective maintained without
- Discourse is consistently - Errors are rare effort
clear, smooth-flowing and and unobtrusive - No evident
well structured hesitations
- Linking and cohesive devices
are used very effectively
2 - Tasks are fulfilled with ease - A wide range of - A broad range - Pronunciation is
and confidence C1 level grammar of C1 vocabulary clear and easily
- Turn taking is naturally is used is used to deal understood
handled - There is a high with the tasks - Stress and intonation
- Contributions are always level of accuracy - Choice of patterns are
relevant and detailed and control vocabulary is appropriate and used
- Intended message is clearly - A few errors may generally to support meaning
communicated across the occur in more appropriate and - The flow of language
range of tasks complex structures effective is generally
- Discourse is clear, smooth - Some minor maintained despite
flowing and well-structured vocabulary errors some hesitation
- Linking and cohesive devices occur, but do not - No undue strain on
are used effectively impede the listener
communication
1 - Tasks remain largely - Range of - Range of - Unclear
unfulfilled grammar is too vocabulary is too pronunciation may
- Communication is unclear in limited to deal with limited to deal lead to undue strain
places and puts strain on the the C1 level tasks with the C1 level on the listener
listener - Frequent errors tasks - Inappropriate stress
- There is undue reliance on are noticeable, and - Vocabulary and intonation
support from the interlocutor are not corrected errors are patterns may impede
- Little natural turn taking noticeable, and communication
takes place not corrected - Hesitation is
- Contributions lack relevance noticeable in places
- Intended message is not
always successfully
communicated
- Limited use of cohesive
devices results in poorly
flowing discourse
0 - The tasks are unfulfilled, and - Inadequate range - Lacks the - Unclear
the intended message is not of grammar to deal vocabulary to pronunciation and/or
successfully communicated with C1 level tasks deal with the C1 intonation prevents
- Ideas are difficult to follow - Frequent errors level tasks clear understanding
and not linked together into put a strain on the - The message is - Frequent hesitation
connected speech listener obscured by places strain on the
- OR insufficient sample of - OR insufficient vocabulary errors listener
language to assess sample of - OR insufficient - OR insufficient
language to assess sample of sample of language to
language to assess
assess

17
Assessment criteria for LanguageCert IESOL Speaking Mastery C2

Criteria Description
The candidate is able to fulfil the tasks by interacting in a fully
flexible and effective way. The candidate can manage the
conventions of turn taking with complete ease and can relate
Task Fulfilment and Coherence

contributions effortlessly to those of the interlocutor. In

fulfilling the tasks, the candidate provides evidence of a high
Task fulfilment degree of flexibility. For example, incorporating
comprehensive supporting detail with precision and relevance
whilst delivering a clear and unambiguous message, however
complex the arguments. Content is consistently relevant to
both the topic and to the interaction and misunderstandings
do not occur.
The candidate can use a wide range of connectors and
cohesive devices effectively to produce clear, smoothly
flowing and well-structured discourse. This has a logical
Coherence
structure, drawing the listener’s attention to relevant points in
a way that helps sustain and develop the interaction
effectively.
The candidate uses a wide range of C2 level structures with a
Accuracy and Range high level of accuracy and flexibility to communicate
of Grammar subtleties of meaning with precision. There are very few
noticeable errors, and these are generally corrected..
The candidate uses a broad range of vocabulary at C2 level to
deal with the tasks effectively with full control. The use of
Accuracy and Range vocabulary is consistently appropriate to the context or
of Vocabulary situation, and a wide range of expression is used to convey
subtleties of meaning effectively. Although the occasional slip
may occur, there are no major vocabulary errors.
The candidate’s pronunciation is consistently clear and can be
readily understood. Stress and intonation patterns are
Pronunciation
Intonation and
Pronunciation,

sufficiently controlled to allow precise meaning to be

and Intonation
supported effectively and subtleties of meaning to be
Fluency

conveyed.
The candidate is able to use language in a fluent and
spontaneous manner with no noticeable pauses or hesitations,
Fluency
and can maintain this flow of language effectively throughout
the interaction.

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C2 Markscheme
Task Fulfilment and Accuracy and Accuracy and Pronunciation,
Coherence Range of Range of Intonation and
Grammar Vocabulary Fluency
3 - Tasks are fulfilled with - A wide range of C2 - A consistently - Pronunciation is
complete ease, flexibility and level grammar is broad range of C2 extremely clear and
confidence used completely level vocabulary is natural throughout
- Turn taking is consistently effectively used - Intonation and stress
spontaneous, flexible and - There is a - Choice of patterns are used very
wholly natural consistently high vocabulary is effectively to convey
- Contributions are fully level of accuracy consistently subtleties of meaning
relevant, highly detailed and and control appropriate and - A spontaneous flow of
completely effective - Errors are highly effective natural language is
- All points are supported with extremely rare and - There are no maintained with
precise and complex supporting unobtrusive noticeable errors complete ease
detail - No evident hesitations
- Discourse is consistently clear,
smooth-flowing and well
structured
- Linking and cohesive devices
are used very effectively and
appropriately throughout
2 - Tasks are fulfilled with - A wide range of C2 - A broad range of - Pronunciation is
noticeable ease and confidence level grammar is C2 vocabulary is consistently clear and
- Turn taking is naturally used used to deal with natural
handled with a high degree of - There is a high the tasks - Stress and intonation
flexibility level of accuracy - Choice of patterns are
- Contributions are always fully and control vocabulary is appropriate and used
relevant and sufficiently - A few minor errors consistently to convey meaning
detailed may occur in more appropriate and effectively
- Points are supported with complex structures effective - A spontaneous flow of
sufficient detail across the - A few minor natural language is
range of tasks vocabulary errors generally maintained
- Discourse is clear, smooth may occur, but do - No undue strain on
flowing and well-structured not impede the listener
- Linking and cohesive devices communication
are used effectively and
appropriately
1 - Tasks remain partly unfulfilled - Range of grammar - Range of - Unclear pronunciation
- Communication is less clear in is too limited to vocabulary is too may place some strain
places and may place strain on deal with the C2 limited to deal on the listener
the listener level tasks with the C2 level - Unnatural stress and
- There is some reliance on effectively tasks effectively intonation patterns
support from the interlocutor - Errors are - Vocabulary may affect clear
- Natural turn taking does not noticeable, may errors are communication
always take place obscure meaning noticeable, may - Hesitation is
- Contributions may lack and/or are not obscure meaning noticeable in places
relevance at times corrected and/or are not
- Intended message may corrected
occasionally be obscured
- Limited use of cohesive
devices restricts the flow of the
discourse
0 - The tasks are largely - Inadequate range - Lacks the - Unclear pronunciation
unfulfilled, and the intended of grammar to deal vocabulary to deal and/or intonation
message is not successfully with C2 level tasks with the C2 level obscures intended
communicated - Noticeable errors tasks meaning
- Ideas may be difficult to put a strain on the - The message may - Hesitation places
follow or not sufficiently linked listener be obscured by strain on the listener
together into connected speech - OR insufficient vocabulary errors - OR insufficient sample
- OR insufficient sample of sample of language - OR insufficient of language to assess
language to assess to assess sample of
language to assess

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