NOCN ESOL International Speaking

Level C1Advanced Paper AA

Sample Interlocutor Script

ESOL International
Sample English Speaking Examination

Level C1 Advanced

Instructions to interlocutor

Tick the learner’s name on the attendance register.

Check the learner has an Entry form and take it from them.

Start the recording – do not stop the recording until the end of the
examination.

Complete the examination sheet as the learner responds to the prompts.

The learner must not see this paper

ESOL Speaking Level C1 Advanced Paper AA V2 Page 1 of 7

NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

Interlocutor:

My name is……………… and this NOCN Speaking Examination at Advanced Level C1.
Today is …………….. (date)

‘This is the NOCN ESOL International Speaking examination, (level), (date) for
(learner’s name)’.

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NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

This is Part 1 of the Speaking Examination (Maximum 2 minutes)

I am now going to ask you some questions.

1. Can you tell me about when and where you started learning English?

2. Please tell me three things you would do if you won the lottery.

3. Can you tell me what country you would like to visit and why?

4. What have you been doing this week?

5. Tell me three things people can do to relax.

Thank the learner.

Additional prompts allowed:

In Part 1, the interlocutor may ask additional questions to probe e.g. to extend the learner’s
answer if they have just given very short answers. The questions may be rephrased slightly to
ensure that in questions where there are two parts (i.e. and why… or and where…), the learner
responds fully. The interlocutor may also give an example if it is clear that the learner is
struggling to think of ideas. For example, in question 2, the interlocutor may give examples of
how much people may buy as learners may not comprehend how much the win may be, e.g.
some lottery wins can be very small and some many millions of euros. This question is aimed
at a very big win, so money is no object. Interlocutors should be aiming to guide the learner
towards language structures expected at this level.

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NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

This is Part 2 of the Speaking Examination. (Maximum 4 minutes)

The interlocutor chooses two of the scenarios per learner, making sure that a mix of
scenarios are used across the learners being examined. For each of the scenarios being
used, give the learner the relevant prompt sheet. Ensure that the learner does not take
the prompt sheet from the room.

Please listen carefully and tell me what you would say in these situations.

Situation 1: Your friend wants to lose weight. He/she asks you for advice. What
would you say?
(Interlocutor may repeat or rephrase the question, if necessary).

Situation 2: You work for a development company with the chance to win a contract to
build a new leisure complex. Your manager has asked you to represent the company
at a council meeting where a decision will be made about who will be the developer.
You must introduce yourself formally and say briefly what your company can offer.
(Interlocutor may repeat or rephrase the question, if necessary).

Situation 3: Your best friend has met with you. You really do not like what the
friend is wearing. Your friend asks you for your opinion about their outfit which they
have just bought. The friend clearly thinks it is fantastic. What would you say?

Additional prompts allowed:

It is expected that the learner gives a minimum of four sentences to respond to each
situation, including at least one complex sentence. The interlocutor may have to ask
supplementary questions to gain a sufficiently detailed response. If the vocabulary used,
e.g. leisure complex, is not understood by the learner, the interlocutor may explain the
concept.

In Part 2 the interlocutor may ask additional questions to probe the learner’s answers.

Situation 1: The learners may be prompted about eating healthily, taking exercise,
activities that could be undertaken to help to lose weight. The emphasis is on the friend
and not on the person in the room.

Situation 2: The learners may be prompted by giving an example of asking the learner to
think about what the council would want from a development company for instance, the
deadlines, high standard of finish or previous experience.

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NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

Situation 3: If the learner gives a very simple response, such as ‘I think it looks brilliant’,
the interlocutor may ask the learner to give reasons why they would say that. The
interlocutor may challenge the reasons given and ask for justification for this.

Thank the learner.

ESOL Speaking Level C1 Advanced Paper AA V2 Page 5 of 7

NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

This is Part 3 of the Speaking Examination. (Maximum 6 minutes)

The interlocutor chooses one of the scenarios per learner, making sure that both scenarios
are used across the learners being examined. For the scenario being used, give the learner
the relevant prompt sheet. Ensure that the learner does not take the prompt sheet from
the room.

You will now take part in a conversation.

Scenario 1: Your idea for the leisure complex presented at the council meeting seems
to be popular; however, there is one person who thinks strongly that another company
should win the contract. Convince your opponent that you are the right company.
You will have two minutes to prepare your arguments. I will take the place of your
opponent.

Scenario 2: Your school or college is taking part in an event to raise money for
charity. There is disagreement about which charity to support. You think it should
be a local charity, but many people think it should be a national charity. Convince
your opponent that it should be a local charity. You will have two minutes to prepare
your arguments. I will take the place of one of your opponents.

Additional information:
There should be a minimum of eight exchanges to ensure that the learner has considered a
number of options and put across sufficient arguments.

Ideas that the interlocutor may use include:

Scenario 1:
The company has failed to meet its deadlines in the past - giving an example of this
The company is not local and would bring in people from outside the area - local
unemployment is high
Should consider other proposals because they offered more benefits to the council
The council has used another development company for other builds in the past which have
been very good - no track record with this company

Scenario 2:
National charities may have a wider impact
National charities can do more with the money because more people support them
National charities are more widely recognized
National charities may have better resources to support the event such as posters

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NOCN ESOL International Speaking
Level C1Advanced Paper AA
Sample Interlocutor Script

Thank the learner.

End of Examination

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