Marking criteria (oral) levels 1 and 2
|
Class |
Language: range/ complexity/accuracy | Content | Point on scale | Numerical equivalent |
| First | Outstanding for level. Confident and very accurate use of a variety of tenses appropriate to subject matter. Wide range of structures and vocabulary. Responds at length to open questions. Pronunciation and intonation extremely accurate. | Excellent. Conversation topics handled very impressively. Spontaneous interchange with the examiner, takes initiative in the conversation. A range of opinions and justifications expressed with ease. All points communicated clearly. | Excellent 1st | 96 |
| Very good and consistent use of a variety of tenses appropriate to subject matter. Very good range of structures and vocabulary with occasional errors in more complex language. Consistent use of more complex language features. Pronunciation and intonation mostly accurate, with only occasional slips. | Discussion handled well. Examiner has little need to rephrase. All main points communicated clearly. | High 1st Mid 1st Low 1st | 89 81 74 | |
| Upper Second | Use of past, present and future tenses appropriate, but with some inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Fair range of structures and vocabulary. Pronunciation and intonation generally accurate, with occasional hesitation. | Reasonably good conversation with topics developed reasonably well. Communicates clearly, without ambiguity, despite a few errors. | High 2.1 Mid 2.1 Low 2.1 | 68 65 62 |
| Lower Second | General awareness and some use of tenses appropriate to subject matter, but many inaccuracies. Adequate range of structures and vocabulary. Pronunciation and intonation generally accurate, but some errors. Hesitant at times. | Reasonably good conversation within the topic. Communicates clearly, without ambiguity, despite errors. | High 2.2 Mid 2.2 Low 2.2 | 58 55 52 |
| Third | Some awareness and limited use of different tenses. Generally appropriate attempts at subject/verb accord. Fairly limited range of structures and vocabulary. Pronunciation and intonation fair, but inconsistent. Some hesitation. | Examiner may need to rephrase questions before they are understood. Communicates obvious points despite a good number of errors. | High 3rd Mid 3rd Low 3rd | 48 45 42 |
| Fail | Limited success in attempts at subject/verb accord. Very limited range of vocabulary and structures. Pronunciation and intonation approximate but intelligible. Hesitant delivery. Very occasional awareness and success at subject/verb accord. Very limited range of vocabulary. Answers brief and often monosyllabic. Poor pronunciation and delivery very hesitant. | Discussion pedestrian, with the examiner leading questioning a good deal. Conversation topics dealt with a straightforward but limited way. Discussion laboured with the examiner doing most of the work. Conversation topics only work with considerable input from the examiner. Only understands simple questions when they are rephrased. Only some points clearly communicated and many errors. | High Fail Mid Fail | 38 25 |
| Bad fail | Nothing of merit. | Nothing of merit. | Low Fail Zero | 12 0 |
