Linguaskill Speaking Global Assessment Criteria May 2020

Task
Pronunciation and Fluency Language Resource Discourse Management Mark
Achievement
Displays full control of complex language, including a The logic behind the message Consistently
Pronunciation is highly intelligible; stress, rhythm,
wide range of vocabulary (e.g. idiomatic expressions and is immediately apparent.
intonation and connected speech are used effectively to
collocations) and sophisticated syntactic structures. There is a clear progression 6.0 displays full
achievement of
express meaning. Flow of speech is effortless with only C2
Lexical and/or grammatical errors, if present, are not within the development of f unctional
natural hesitation and pauses.
noticeable. ideas. competency
Some features of 5 and some features of 6 in approximately equal measure. 5.5 descriptors.
Displays good control of complex language, including a Typically displays
Pronunciation is intelligible; stress, rhythm, intonation and The logic behind the message
range of vocabulary (e.g. attempts to use idiomatic full achievement of
connected speech are used to express meaning well.
expressions and collocations) and sophisticated syntactic
is easy to follow. There is a 5.0 f unctional
Flow of speech is generally effortless with mostly natural coherent progression within C1
structures. Lexical and/or grammatical errors, if present, competency
hesitation and pauses. the development of ideas.
are not intrusive. descriptors.
Some features of 4 and some features of 5 in approximately equal measure. 4.5
The logic behind the message
Pronunciation is generally intelligible but L1 f eatures may
There is an adequate range of grammar and vocabulary is comprehensible but may
occasionally interfere; stress, rhythm and intonation are
which is sufficiently accurate. Lexical and/or grammatical require ef fort to identify. The 4.0
used to express meaning adequately. Some hesitation B2 Typically displays
errors are present but generally do not impede meaning. relationship between ideas is
may be present while searching for language. partial
generally clear.
achievement of
Some features of 3 and some features of 4 in approximately equal measure. 3.5 f unctional
Pronunciation can generally be understood but L1 competency
f eatures may cause strain; attempts to use stress, rhythm The range of grammar and vocabulary used is limited. There may be some descriptors.
and intonation to express meaning are not always Utterances using simple language are accurate but basic relationship between ideas, 3.0
successful. Flow of speech is uneven, with some signs of inaccuracies when attempting to use more complex but they appear generally B1
f alse starts, self-correction, repetition and/or unnatural language may impede communication of ideas. disconnected.
hesitation.
Some features of 2 and some features of 3 in approximately equal measure. 2.5
Pronunciation of single words and phrases may be
The range of language is insufficient. Some utterances Not applicable due to lack of
intelligible but L1 features may make understanding Typically displays
dif ficult; attempts to use stress, rhythm and intonation to
(e.g. single words or short phrases) may be accurate but extended discourse. 2.0 attempt to respond
inaccuracies in grammar and vocabulary restrict (utterances are limited to short A2
express meaning are unsuccessful. Utterances are short, to task prompt.
communication of ideas. and incomplete sentences)
with f requent hesitations and pauses.
Some features of 1 and some features of 2 in approximately equal measure. 1.5
Pronunciation of individual words may be intelligible but
L1 f eatures may cause excessive strain to a listener; little The range of language is very limited. Some accurate Not applicable due to lack of Not applicable due
attempt is made to use aspects of stress, rhythm or language (e.g. pre-packaged utterances) may occur but extended discourse. 1.0 to lack of linguistic
intonation to express meaning. Utterances are limited to f requent inaccuracies mean the message is not (utterances are limited to isolated A1 ability.
single words or phrases, with excessive hesitations and communicated. words and memorised phrases)
pauses making speech difficult to follow.
Throughout the task, response(s) are consistently unrelated to the rubric. 0 Of f-topic
Throughout the task, the response(s) are not attempted or consistently no meaning is conveyed. 0 No Meaningful Response
 Linguaskill Speaking Phonological Descriptors for part 2 (read-aloud) May 2020

Overall Intelligibility Individual Sounds Stress, Rhythm and Intonation Mark

Pronunciation is easy to understand and meaning is Stress, rhythm and intonation are consistently used
conveyed effectively.
Individual sounds are clear and unambiguous.
appropriately so that meaning is expressed effectively. 6.0

Some features of 5 and some features of 6 in approximately equal measure. 5.5

Pronunciation is easy to understand and meaning is Individual sounds are generally clear and Stress, rhythm and intonation are generally used
conveyed well. unambiguous. appropriately so that meaning is expressed well. 5.0

Some features of 4 and some features of 5 in approximately equal measure. 4.5

Pronunciation can generally be understood and Individual sounds are generally clear although there Stress, rhythm and intonation are used to express
meaning is conveyed adequately. may be occasional difficulty for the listener. meaning adequately. 4.0

Some features of 3 and some features of 4 in approximately equal measure. 3.5

Pronunciation can generally be understood but L1
Many individual sounds are clear but some may cause An attempt is made to use aspects of stress, rhythm
f eatures may cause strain; meaning is conveyed but
dif ficulty for the listener. and intonation to express meaning. 3.0
there may be some ambiguity.

Some features of 2 and some features of 3 in approximately equal measure. 2.5

Pronunciation of single words may be intelligible but
L1 f eatures may make understanding difficult and
some meaning may be distorted.
Inaccuracies in the pronunciation of individual sounds
Little attempt is made to use aspects of stress, rhythm
may cause strain for the listener and may impede
and intonation to express meaning. 2.0
communication of meaning.

Some features of 1 and some features of 2 in approximately equal measure. 1.5

Pronunciation of single words may be intelligible but
Serious inaccuracies in the pronunciation of individual No attempt is made to use aspects of stress, rhythm
L1 f eatures may cause excessive strain to a listener
sounds may make speech unintelligible. and intonation to express meaning. 1.0
and meaning may be seriously distorted.

Throughout the task, the response(s) are not attempted or consistently no meaning is conveyed. 0

NB Scores for phonological descriptors may not align to the CEFR bands as in the previous markscheme