Archive for 'B1 test advice'

Trinity College GESE Grade 5, 6, and 4

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 at 9:50 pm  
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GESE Grades 4–6 (A2.2–B1.2 CEFR) Elementary Stage

This includes B1 Speaking and Listening GESE Grade 5 ESOL Entry level 3 /B1 test level on the CEFR which is approved by the Home Office for use in Settlement/ILR and Naturalisation applications made on or after 28th October 2013.

Introduction to the Speaking and Listening GESE Elementary stage

Candidate profile
By the end of the Elementary stage, the candidate can:
● understand the main points of clear speech on familiar matters
● enter into conversation, express personal opinions and exchange information on familiar
subjects of personal interest or related to everyday life
● demonstrate a sufficient range of language to describe experiences and events and give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
This profile is based on the level Independent User, B1 test level, in the Common European Framework of Reference.

Trinity College B1 Speaking and Listening Test GESE Exam format

The exam at each grade consists of the following:
● greetings and setting at ease
● discussion of a prepared topic
● conversation on two subject areas
● end of conversation and leave taking.

B1 Speaking and Listening Test GESE Exam procedure

● The examiner begins by greeting the candidate, trying to set him or her at ease and asking to see the candidate’s identification (for Grade 5 and above).
● The examiner asks the candidate for the Topic form and the candidate tells the examiner what he or she is going to talk about.
● During the Topic phase, the examiner randomly selects one of the discussion points on the Topic form and asks the candidate questions and makes comments to facilitate a spontaneous discussion about the prepared topic. This continues until at least four points on the Topic form have been covered. During the Topic phase, the candidate asks the examiner at least one question related to the topic. This phase lasts up to five minutes.
● The examiner then closes this phase of the exam and moves on to the conversation.
● During the Conversation phase, the examiner selects one of the subject areas listed for the grade and engages the candidate in genuine conversation. This is repeated with a second subject area chosen by the examiner. During the conversation the candidate gives information, makes statements and responds as appropriate.

In addition, at Grade 5 the candidate must ask the examiner at least one question related to the subject areas being discussed and at Grade 6 the candidate must ask at least two questions. This phase lasts up to five minutes.
● The examiner brings the conversation and the exam to an end.

Sample exams at the Elementary stage GESE Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6 can be found here on the Trinity College website.

If you are taking the B1 Speaking and Listening Test/GESE grade 5 exam then for practice you should take a particular look at the videos for GESE Grade 5 candidate Serafim and  Srija and see their marks noting how these were arrived at.

B1 Speaking and Listening Test GESE Elementary Stage Guidance

Discussion of a prepared topic

The purpose of the Topic phase is to give candidates the opportunity to display their command of the language of the grade while talking about self-selected and personally relevant topics.
● When choosing the topic for discussion, candidates should prepare the topic on a subject they are personally interested in, knowledgeable about and able to discuss with the examiner.
● Please note the topic should not be chosen directly from the list of subject areas for the Conversation phase. Instead, candidates should be strongly encouraged to prepare a personalised topic. This is to enable candidates to show a wide range of language throughout the exam.
● The personal aspect is an important feature of all Trinity exams. Therefore, candidates should be discouraged from selecting the same topic as their peers. Teachers should ensure that if groups of learners do decide to use the same topic, e.g. football, every effort is made to personalise the content.
● The topic should provide candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate the language requirements of the grade. Therefore, candidates should be encouraged to incorporate language items of the grade into their contributions.
●When preparing the topic candidates are advised to think carefully about the amount of material necessary for their topic, bearing in mind the time available. They should prepare enough material to sustain a discussion of the topic for up to five minutes, but not more.
● Candidates must not prepare their topic as a written script, as this will inevitably lead to a memorised recitation and result in the candidate not being prepared to use spontaneous spoken English. Recitation will have a negative effect on the assessment of this phase.
● In preparing their topic, candidates are advised to anticipate questions the examiner might ask. They should be prepared to give further examples, explanations and clarifications as requested by the examiner.
● Before the exam, the candidate must complete the Topic form and bring it to the exam room. The Topic form is designed to help promote a spontaneous discussion which must not include or rely on a memorised recitation.
● The candidate must complete the Topic form with the required number of points for discussion (four discussion points for Grade 4, five for Grade 5, six for Grade 6). One short sentence or phrase will suffice for each point. The candidate should prepare enough material about these points to sustain a discussion of up to five minutes, but no more.
● At all Elementary grades, the examiner will ask the candidate to talk about at least four of the discussion points on the Topic form.
● The examiner will refer to the discussion points on the Topic form in no particular order. Therefore, all of the points should be thematic and provide an opportunity for discussing different aspects of the topic. Topic forms must not include such general points as ‘Introduction’, or ‘What I did next…’.
● The Topic form can be written by a person other than the candidate as written skills in English are not being assessed in these exams. However, the content of the form should have originated from the candidate.
● As the Topic form is crucial for the execution of this phase, the phase will not take place if the information contained on the form is not made available to the examiner.
● It is a requirement of the exam that candidates ask the examiner relevant and appropriate questions throughout the Topic phase.
● At all Elementary grades, the candidate must ask the examiner at least one question about the topic.
● Candidates may bring pictures, photos, diagrams or other useful objects into the exam room to illustrate the topic and aid the discussion with the examiner. However, live animals or dangerous objects such as knives must not be brought into the exam room.
● Please note a candidate who fails to prepare a topic for discussion cannot be assessed for Task fulfilment for this phase. The phase will be voided and this will result in a fail being awarded for the exam as a whole.

The Conversation phase

The purpose of the Conversation phase is to give candidates the opportunity to participate in a genuine and interesting exchange of information, ideas and opinions, while demonstrating their ability to use the language of the grade.
● The Conversation phase consists of a discussion of two of the subject areas listed for the relevant grade. Although the examiner will only select two of the subject areas listed, candidates need to be prepared to talk about all of them.
● Candidates are encouraged to contribute as much as they can to the conversation and make every effort to show the examiner the range and quality of the language required for the particular grade.
● Candidates must not memorise or recite responses to the examiner’s questions as this will lead to the candidate being unable to take part in a genuine conversation with the examiner.
● At each grade, candidates are expected to use the communicative skills, language functions and language items listed for the grade and for the previous grades. Therefore, those responsible for preparing candidates for the exams should ensure that candidates are completely familiar with the
language items, understand their meaning and can use them accurately and appropriately.
● At GESE Grade 5, for the B1 Speaking and Listening Test, candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one question related to the subject areas in this phase.
● At GESE Grade 6, candidates are required to ask the examiner at least two questions related to the subject areas in this phase.

GESE Grade 4, 5 and 6 Assessment

At the Elementary stage, the examiner assesses the candidate’s performance by awarding a letter grade A, B, C or D for Task fulfilment for the Topic and Conversation phases. In simple terms, these
levels can be classified as follows:
● A — Distinction (reflects an excellent performance)
● B — Merit (reflects a good performance)
● C — Pass (reflects a satisfactory performance)
● D — Fail (reflects an unsatisfactory performance).
The combination of the two letter grades, i.e. the one awarded for the topic and the one awarded for the conversation provides the overall level of achievement.

The Trinity College examiner completes an individual Exam report form immediately after the exam. The Exam report form provides an indication of the result of the exam and identifies key areas for improvement. The final result is confirmed by the issue of a certificate (or otherwise) by Trinity within a specified period after the GESE exam.

At our ESOL  centre you can prepare for the UKBA accepted, Speaking & Listening exam at B1 entry 3 level which you need when you make an application for UK Citizenship. You will also need the Life in the UK test. This is the Trinity College London GESE grade 5 Speaking & Listening exam/B1 test.

B1 Speaking and Listening Test for UK Citizenship

Thursday, May 1st, 2014 at 3:35 am  
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B1 Speaking and Listening Test for UK Citizenship

Everyone wishes to live a better life and with this positive thought in mind, many people want to apply for  British citizenship because the UK is the place where many people believe they can make their dreams come true.  Perhaps they wish come to the UK  to gain a degree in one of the best universities in the world. Maybe they want to come here to get a respected job and settle down permanently. Some may want to marry and have a family here. There are a variety of good reasons to settle in the UK.

But from October 2013, the government officials have changed some of the rules for  applicants for Citizenship. From now on, as well as passing the Life in the UK test to show their knowledge of British customs, traditions and way of life, everyone also has to meet set guidelines to show that they understand the language. One way of doing this is to pass the  B1Speaking and listening test for UK citizenship.
A good reason for changing the rules for applicants is so that they could show that they can communicate effectively and thus be better placed to achieve their desired position in the British community and  therefore find that coming to the UK was a good choice for them. It means they will be able to positively contribute to the community and this is a good outcome for all concerned.
What is the B1 Speaking and Listening Test for UK Citizenship? The said test is a guideline to make sure that all those applicants who have been approved by the visa officials, are well able to converse in the English language as spoken in UK.

Passing the B1 Speaking and Listening Test for UK Citizenship:

If a person has not already taken the speaking and listening test for UK citizenship then it is essential for him or her to take it before applying for their visa. The applicant should pass the test with B1 or higher score set by CEFR that stands for Common European Framework of Reference. Or, he/she may have an equivalent level of education in place of the test.

Applicants from Countries that are Free from the B1 Speaking and Listening Test Conditions:

However the condition of passing the Speaking and listening test for UK citizenship, is not essential for some applicants that belongs to a country where English is the official language. But other applicants do need to pass the test in order to enter in UK and live like a normal citizen there.

The countries that are exempted from the B1 test are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.

Other Applicants that are Free from Passing B1 Speaking and Listening Tests:

The UK Government has set the English language test conditions for almost all applicants who want to come to UK and settle here permanently. But there are some groups of people who do not need to pass the test. These fall into the categories described below:
• If the applicant is younger than 18 years of age or older than 65 years of age then he/she does not need to take the test.
• If the applicant has learning difficulties and is having an issue learning the English language then he or she may skip the test. But the problem should be valid otherwise he/she must take the test.
• If the applicant is the spouse (either husband or wife or civil partner) of a UK resident who is a victim of domestic violence or has died then they may skip the test.
• Those applicants who are under humanitarian protection act or are refugees in UK may also skip the test if they want to.
• Those applicants who are also asylum seekers and have a DL (Discretionary Leave) to remain in the country may also skip the B1 speaking and listening test for UK citizenship.

If you are applying for UK citizenship and need to take the B1 speaking and listening test you can prepare for it here at our English exam centre. You can also get help with Functional Skills English and Maths along with preparation for other English exams.

Official ESOL B1 Test Preparation Sheffield

Saturday, April 19th, 2014 at 4:20 pm  
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English B1 Test Preparation Centre Sheffield

You can book your B1 test preparation in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The speaking and listening English exam, for British Citizenship, Naturalisation, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Spouse/Partner Visa can be taken at the Trinity College official exam centre in Sheffield. There are B1 tests in Sheffield held regularly at Learn for Life Enterprise. This is a well established Sheffield ESOL learning centre which, as it has for many years, specialises in ESOL at all levels including pre-entry, level one, level two and level three. We also teach Functional Skills English

This popular official Yorkshire test centre for Trinity College provides helpful ESOL preparation courses for the A1 test and B1 test in Sheffield. You can also get on-the-day B1 test preparation from experienced tutors. The on-the-day preparation includes practice exam, revision help, exam tips, and topic form help

In addition, the B1 test preparation centre offers preparation classes for the Life in the UK test.  The Life in the UK Preparation Course is for 6 x 2 hours over 3 weeks and you can attend as many as you need, even repeating some if necessary.

You will find the staff at Learn for Life Enterprise very helpful and friendly. They will do their best to look after you and make you feel welcome and at ease for your English exam.

ESOL B1 test Sheffield

The UKBA approved ESOL B1 test is from Trinity College. This is the GESE grade 5 exam in Speaking and Listening at Level 3.  The  B1 test for Speaking & Listening exam  consists of a ten minute one-to-one interview with an official examiner from Trinity College London who undertakes the exam in their official Sheffield B1 test centre.

The B1 test aims to replicate real-life conversation in which the candidate and the examiner exchange and pass on information, share ideas and opinions and debate topical issues.

B1 test Sheffield

This UKBA Home Office approved English Language Test – Speaking & Listening test at B1 entry 3 level is required  for applicants for UK Citizenship. If you are applying for UK Citizenship/British Naturalisation you will also need to pass the Life in the UK test.

Preparation for ESOL B1 test Sheffield

If you wish to prepare for your ESOL B1 test in Sheffield, the optional B1 test Preparation Course is for 4 x 2 hours over 2 weeks. It includes workshops, practice B1 exam and B1 revision material.

A1 Test Preparation

The A1 test is suitable for Spouse and Partner Visas on FLR (M) and suitable for Parents of Dependents FLR (O). This A1 English test is a UKBA Home Office approved Secure English Language Test – SELT – Speaking & Listening test.

If you would like to prepare in Sheffield for your ESOL A1 test, then our A1 test Preparation Course should be suitable for you. It is 4 x 2 hours over 2 weeks which includes useful workshops, practice A1 exam and A1 revision material.
Please note that for Visa purposes you will need to take your A1 exam at a registered SELT centre of your choice.

Booking your ESOL speaking and listening B1 test in Sheffield

You can book your  B1 test preparation in Sheffield, South Yorkshire or speaking and listening exam/test preparation course for B1, A, A2 ESOL or Life in the UK  by clicking here: SHEFFIELD English Exam A1 and B1 preparation courses and B1 Test Preparation Centre Sheffield

We also teach English Functional Skills and Maths Functional Skills in addition we are and official exam centre for Functional Skills exams.

B1 Speaking and Listening Test

Thursday, April 17th, 2014 at 9:53 pm  
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B1 Speaking and Listening Test

The B1 speaking and listening test takes the form of a one-to-one interview with the examiner. The exam aims to replicate everyday real-life exchanges in which the candidate and the examiner converse, pass on information, share ideas and opinions and talk about topical issues.

The B1 test consists of the following:

  • greetings and setting at ease
  • Topic
  • Conversation
  • end of conversation and leave taking.

The B1 speaking and listening test requires all candidates to complete two tasks.

1.   Topic

Discussion of a prepared topic.The topic part of the test takes approximately 5 minutes.

The candidate is required to prepare a topic of his or her own choice.  The examiner directs the discussion using the points prepared by the candidate. Candidates should therefore prepare a topic for discussion. For example you could choose one of the following:

  1. Hobbies
  2. Holidays
  3. Career
  4. Home country

Communication Skills for B1 Test

The following skills are looked for by the examiner for the B1 test

  • Show understanding of the examiner by responding appropriately to questions.
  • Give information about the prepared topic in a series of linked long turns about the five discussion points on the Topic form.
  • Answer questions on the prepared topic, and participate in an informal discussion of the topic, during which the examiner will request more information, fact and details.
  • Respond to requests for clarification and give reasons for making particular statements.
  • Ask the examiner at least one question about the topic area.
  • Take the opportunity provided to use the language functions and language items listed below, where appropriate.Language Requirements

This applies to Part 1 – TOPIC and also to Part 2 – CONVERSATION

Language Functions

Language functions tested for B1 are:

  1. Talking about the future – informing and predicting
  2. Expressing preference
  3. Talking about events in the indefinite and recent past
  4. Giving reasons
  5. Stating the duration of events
  6. Quantifying

 Grammar

Grammar tested for B1 includes:

  1. Present perfect tense including use of for, since, ever, never, just
  2. Connecting clauses using because
  3. Will referring to the future for informing and predicting
  4. Adjectives and adverbials of quantity e.g. a lot (of), not very much, many
  5. Expressions of preference e.g. I prefer, I’d rather

Lexis

Lexis tested for B1 includes:

  1. Vocabulary specific to the topic area
  2. Vocabulary specific to the subject areas
  3. Expressions relating to past and future time e.g. two days ago, in the future
  4. Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

Phonology

Phonology tested for B1 includes:

  1. The correct pronunciation of vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas
  2. The combination of weak forms and contractions e.g. I’ve been to…
  3. Avoidance of speech patterns of recitation

2.   Conversation

Then the examiner moves on to the Conversation phase, selecting two subject areas for  conversation and discussion from the list provided. This part of the B1 test takes approximately 5 minutes

The examiner selects 2 subject areas for discussion from the list below;

  1. Festivals
  2. Means of transport
  3. Special occasions e.g. birthdays, weddings
  4. Entertainment e.g. cinema, television 
  5. Music
  6. Recent personal experiences

Communication Skills

You, the candidate,  will be required to:

  • Show understanding of the examiner by responding appropriately to questions
  • Respond to requests for clarification and give reasons for making particular statements
  • Ask the examiner at least one question about the subject area

B1 Test Centres

The B1 Speaking and Listening Test is accepted by the Home Office for Settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Naturalisation applications.

To  find out more about the B1 Test at our “preparing for B1 test centre” please contact us

B1 Speaking and Listening Exam Tips and Advice

Thursday, April 17th, 2014 at 12:06 am  
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B1 Speaking & Listening Test Exam – Tips and Advice

The Trinity College London B1 Speaking & Listening exam which consists of a ten minute one-to-one interview. This English Language Test – Speaking & Listening test at B1 entry 3 level is required  for applicants for UK Citizenship. You also need to pass the Life in the UK test.

B1 Speaking Test Tips

First of all always try to relax and be yourself – be natural – this makes speaking easier.  Your Examiner will  want you to do your best. They will not try to make your test difficult for you.

Do not learn passages and speeches off by heart to try to say them word-for-word in the interview. It is difficult to do this and also sound natural. Your examiner  will spot it easily if you learn something word-for-word..

When you describe something, do not worry about telling every single visible detail. this is a speaking test not an observation test.  Just speak in general terms about whatever it is and how say it affects you personally.

It is good to practice and prepare your answers to common questions and make them personal to you. This gives examiners a good idea of your level of language, and your ability to talk about your past, present and future experiences. So practice but don’t expect to repeat something off by heart as it will rarely fit the exact question.

 B1 Listening Test Tips

Examiners may give information that sounds correct, but is not quite right. Remember that being nearly correct is not the same thing as being correct.  Modal verbs and adverbs are often used to give inaccurate information. It must be one hundred per cent correct to be right.

Listening exams often have inaccurate information that sounds quite similar to the correct answer. Sometimes the information given might match one of the answers, however it does not quite fit the question. For example: the examiner is talking about last year, but the question asks about next year. The correct information usually, but not always, follows afterwards.

There are B1 Speaking and Listening Test exam dates and preparation courses throughout the year

We hold regular B1 exam preparation classes for the speaking and listening test throughout the year. You can let us know the city or town and the date when you wish to take your B1 exam by clicking here.

We can give you  B1 test preparation and practice if you wish.

The B1 Speaking and Listening Test GESE Grade 5 is accepted by the British Home Office for Settlement / ILR / Naturalisation applications.

B1 Test ESOL Entry Level 3

Saturday, February 15th, 2014 at 9:54 pm  
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International B1 Test ESOL Examination GESE Grade 5 Exam from Trinity College London available to take at an official exam centre nearest to you.

  • Home Office approved English test for Citizenship / Naturalisation / ILR
  • 10 minute one-to-one exam with an official Trinity College Examiner
  • Results same day
  • Certificate sent as quickly as possible often within 7 days

Book your B1 test preparation here

It is now an official requirement that for any applications made for Settlement  or ILR or Naturalisation applications, that are received by the British Home Office on or after 28th October 2013, the applicants are required to pass the Life in the UK Test, as before,
AND ALSO
have a speaking & listening qualification at B1 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for languages)  or higher, or an equivalent level qualification.

The Trinity College London GESE grade 5 is a speaking & listening exam at B1 level on the CEFR ESOL Entry level 3 on NQF* ( National Qualifications Framework) Speaking & Listening.

(Click here to find the Home Office’s new requirements for Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK for Settlement/ILR & Naturalisation applications made on or after 28th October 2013)

Home Office’s list of approved English tests

English Exam For Settlement. B1 Test  ESOL Entry3 Speaking an Listening – the GESE grade 5 is on the Home Office’s list of approved English tests (see page 35 final entry -Graded Examinationsin SpokenEnglish ): http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf

This English exam – TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International – Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) is also regulated by OFQUAL – Qualification number 500/1934/X

This GESE grade 5 exam is a speaking & listening exam at B1 level exam in English For Speakers of Other Languages ESOL .

You will have a ten minute interview with a Trinity College examiner on a one-to-one basis. Your result is normally available on the same day and then your certificate is sent to you as quickly as possible often within 7 days.

We offer preparation for these Home Office approved exams regularly –

Prepare for your B1 test for Citizenship / ILR here

or contact us / register your interest in the B1 Test ESOL exam here