Grade 10

Examination format

Total examination time: 25 minutes

The examination consists of five assessed phases:

Formal presentation of a topic prepared by the candidate (up to 5 minutes)

A candidate-led discussion of the topic presentation with the examiner (up to 5 minutes)

Interactive task (up to 5 minutes)

Listening task (up to 3 minutes)

Conversation on two subject areas selected by the examiner (up to 6 minutes).

Candidate performance

In addition to the items listed for the previous grades, the candidate is expected to demonstrate the

following communicative skills and meet the language requirements listed below during the examination.

Communicative skills

In the Formal topic presentation phase

Give a formal presentation, discursive in nature, on a chosen subject, with an identifiable

structure and sequence, using discourse connectors and cohesive devices

Introduce the presentation, develop particular points, give supporting reasons and examples

Conclude the presentation by inviting questions and comments from the examiner

In the Topic discussion phase

Initiate and engage the examiner in a discussion of some of the points made

Share the responsibility with the examiner for the maintenance of the discussion

Respond to the examiner’s requests for clarification or elaboration

Be prepared to defend a point of view and develop an argument further

In the Interactive phase

Take responsibility for the direction and maintenance of the interaction

Utilise turn-taking conventions to ensure that the interaction flows and develops naturally

Relate his or her own contributions closely to those of the examiner

In the Listening phase

Understand a range of spoken texts and recognise implicit meaning

Use contextual, grammatical and lexical cues to identify attitude, mood and intentions and

anticipate what follows

Use knowledge of grammar, lexis and register to identify context and participants from a piece

of discourse

In the Conversation phase

Share the responsibility with the examiner for the maintenance of the conversation

Offer new contributions to influence the direction of the conversation

Participate without much obvious searching for expressions

Grade 10

Language requirements

Language functions

Developing an argument

Defending a point of view

Expressing beliefs

Expressing opinions tentatively

Summarising information, ideas and arguments

Deducing

Grammar

A broad range of complex structures to express thoughts clearly

A high degree of grammatical accuracy, although minor errors may occur when attempting to

use a combination of structures across sentence boundaries

Lexis

Vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas

A range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms

Modifying words, e.g. basically, quite, certainly

Intensifiers, e.g. absolutely, completely, totally

Tentative expressions, e.g. I may be wrong but... Don’t you think it might be...

Signposting words, e.g. firstly, finally

Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

Phonology

The correct pronunciation of topic and subject-area specific vocabulary

Sounds with minimal interference from the first language

A range of stress and intonation patterns, pitch and volume to:

– engage and maintain the examiner’s interest

– signal the provision of new information

– indicate discourse structure.

Subject areas for the Conversation phase

Two subject areas will be selected by the examiner from the appropriate list below. The centre

should inform the examiner which list has been prepared by the candidate

LIST A

Roles in the family

Communication

The school curriculum

Youth behaviour

Use of the internet

Designer goods

OR LIST B

International events

Equal opportunities

Social issues

The future of the planet

Scientific developments

Stress management

Please note Grade 10 candidates should not select their topic from the lists of subject areas above

(see guidance notes on page 41).

Grade 10 communicative skills and language requirements have been mapped to C1.1 in the CEFR.