Archive for 'GESE'

GESE Exam Format Grades 1 – 6

Saturday, May 17th, 2014 at 3:57 am  
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GESE Exam Format and Procedure

GESE Exam format Grades 4, 5 and 6

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

Exam procedure for GESE Grades 4, 5 and 6
● 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.

GESE Grade 5 Requirements by the British Home Office

Speaking & Listening exams at B1 entry 3 level are needed when you are applying for UK Citizenship along with the Life in the UK test. This is the Trinity College London GESE grade 5 Speaking & Listening exam.

GESE Exam format for Grades 1, 2 and 3

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

GESE Exam procedure for Grades 1, 2 and 3

● The examiner begins by greeting the candidate and trying to set him or her at ease.
● The conversation is then initiated by the examiner who gives the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate both through speech and actions the range of language required at this stage.
● During the conversation, the candidate is required to display understanding through gesture and simple actions, such as moving around the room or pointing to specific objects, and by giving short responses using the language of the grade.
● At Grades 2 and 3, the candidate asks the examiner at least one simple question during the exam.
● Examiners select their own materials appropriate to the age and maturity of the candidate. These could include everyday objects and pictures which can be used to engage the candidate’s interest, elicit the language of the grade and encourage the conversation to develop. The examiner may also refer to the immediate surroundings of the exam room, school or centre.
● The examiner brings the conversation to an end by thanking the candidate and saying goodbye.
The candidate is expected to say goodbye.

GESE Assessment
At the Initial stage, the examiner assesses the candidate’s performance by awarding a letter grade
A, B, C or D. 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 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) within a specified period after the exam.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to use the communicative skills, language functions and language items listed for the grade (and for the previous grades where applicable).

Therefore, those responsible for preparing candidates for the exam should ensure that the candidates are completely familiar with the language items, understand their meaning and can use them accurately and appropriately.

● At Grade 1, candidates are expected to answer the examiner’s questions with very short, mostly
one or two word responses as well as with gestures and actions.
● At Grade 2, it is acceptable for candidates to answer the examiner’s questions with a few words, very short responses or full sentences. Candidates are expected to provide simple descriptions of people and objects using basic phrases and sentences. In the exam candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one very simple question about personal details.
● At Grade 3, candidates are expected to link groups of words with simple connectors, e.g. ‘My brother’s tall and he’s got black hair’. In the exam candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one simple question about everyday life.

GESE Exam Guidance
● At the Initial stage, questions and answers play an important part in the conversation, but the examiner aims to enable the candidate to participate in a genuine two-way exchange within the linguistic limits set.
● The examiner will speak slowly and clearly throughout and will allow the candidate time to process what is heard and formulate a response.
● The examiner will provide support in the form of repetition and rephrasing.
● Candidates should ask for repetition of anything they have not heard clearly or understood. Simple phrases such as ‘Can you repeat that, please?’ or ‘Sorry?’ are ideal for this purpose. However, overuse of such phrases will be taken as an indication that the candidate is having persistent difficulty understanding the examiner and this will affect the assessment.

GESE Grade 2 Requirements by the British Home Office

If  you are applying for a Spouse / Partner Visa you will need GESE Grade 2 Speaking & Listening A1 / ESOL Entry 1. This is suitable for Spouse and Partner Visas on FLR (M) and suitable for Parents of Dependents FLR (O). The exam must be taken at a SELT Test Centre. We can help with exam preparation before you take your test at your chosen SELT centre.

 

GESE Exam Guidance

Sunday, May 11th, 2014 at 9:28 pm  
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GESE Exam Guidance and Assessment

Here you will find guidance about Trinity college GESE Exams these include GESE Grade 2 Speaking & Listening A1 / ESOL Entry 1 which you need when you are applying for a Spouse / Partner Visa. You will need GESE grade 5 Speaking & Listening  B1 entry 3 level  when you are applying for UK Citizenship along with the Life in the UK test.

Trinity’s GESE exams test the English speaking and listening skills of people whose first language is not English. They focus on building motivation and confidence in using English and enable students to chart their progress from beginner to proficiency. GESE exams are approved for UK visa or settlement purposes.

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 Grade 5, candidates are required to ask the examiner at least one question related to the subject areas in this phase.
● At Grade 6, candidates are required to ask the examiner at least two questions related to the subject areas in this phase.

The Listening task

Three short spoken passages prompt the use of high level listening skills, such as deduction, prediction and inference.
● The Listening task is introduced at the Advanced stage only.
● The listening passages are non-specialist and do not relate to the specific subject areas provided for the Conversation phase. It is considered important at this stage to introduce an unknown element into the exam for which the candidate cannot prepare specifically in terms of language content.
● The listening task is intended to be solely a test of listening. The candidate is required to give only very brief verbal responses indicating comprehension achieved through the use of high level listening skills.
● The candidate needs to show recognition of the context, participants and register.

About the assessment

General
It is an essential characteristic of Trinity exams wherever they are conducted that grading is carried out by a qualified Trinity examiner who is trained, standardised and monitored regularly to ensure impartiality and consistency of assessment. In every exam, the examiner assesses the use made of the language of the particular grade and that of all preceding grades.

The outcomes for each grade assume mastery of the outcomes of the previous grades. It is therefore important when preparing candidates for a particular grade that attention is paid to the previous grades. Although these will not be examined explicitly, the examiner will be looking for the candidate to demonstrate a repertoire of language items which includes items from the current grade as well as the preceding grades. All phases of the exam at each stage are given equal importance in the overall assessment.

Candidate assessment
The candidate’s performance in the exam is measured by means of one overall criterion, Task fulfilment. This is assessed in each phase of the exam.
The assessment of each Task fulfilment criterion is based on the following factors:
● coverage of the communicative skills listed
● coverage of the language functions listed
● coverage of the grammatical, lexical and phonological items listed
● accuracy in the use of the grammatical, lexical and phonological items listed
● appropriacy of the grammatical, lexical and phonological items used
● fluency and promptness of response appropriate for the grade.
More detailed descriptions of Task fulfilment are available to show how the examiner assesses all exam phases at the four stages. These performance descriptors can be downloaded from the Trinity website.
The examiner assesses the candidate’s performance in each phase of the exam by awarding a letter grade A, B, C or D. 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).

Assessment
At the Elementary stage, GESE Grades 4, 5 and 6, 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 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 within a specified period after the exam.

GESE Exams are designed to show candidates can:
● understand what is said clearly, slowly and directly in simple everyday conversation with support
● communicate in basic and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters
● use basic sentence patterns and communicate through simple phrases, groups of a few words and formulae about themselves and other people, what they do, places and possessions
● ask and answer simple questions about personal information and everyday life.

SELT test centres offer UK Border Agency approved, Secure English Language Test, Speaking & Listening exams

If you are applying for a Spouse / Partner Visa you will need  GESE Grade 2 Speaking & Listening A1 / ESOL Entry 1

You will need  B1 entry 3 level  when you are applying for UK Citizenship along with the Life in the UK test. This is the Trinity College London GESE grade 5 Speaking & Listening exam.

This new Pass Trinity 5-6 book will help you prepare for your B1 test and pass your Trinity GESE Grade 5 speaking and listening exam/test more easily

This new Pass Trinity 1-2 book will help you prepare for your A1 test and pass your Trinity GESE Grade 2 speaking and listening exam/test more easily

GESE Grade 5 B1 CEFR Exam

Monday, May 5th, 2014 at 9:57 am  
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GESE Grade 5 B1 CEFR / ESOL Entry Level 3 English Exam for Settlement / ILR

Trinity College London International ESOL Examinations – GESE

On this page you will find information on Trinity’s Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE), especially Grade 5 as regulated by OFQUAL.

GESE Grade 5 ESOL Entry level 3 /B1 on the CEFR is approved by the Home Office for use in Settlement/ILR and Naturalisation applications made on or after 28th October 2013.
This exam has 2 phases, each of these phases takes up to 5 minutes each:

• Phase 1 – Discussion of a prepared topic (up to 5 mins)

The Topic phase gives candidates the opportunity to display their level of the language while talking about self-selected and personal 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 for up to 5 minutes.

Before your examination you must complete a ‘Topic form’ which you will present to the examiner when you enter the examination room. The examiner uses the information on the Topic form to help initiate and develop a discussion about your chosen topic area. It is designed to encourage spontaneous discussion so you should not try to memorise what you are going to say.

You can download blank Topic forms by clicking here for the Trinity website.  If you are entering for GESE Grade 5 ensure you choose the topic form for GESE Grade 5.
In the Topic phase
• 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, facts or details
• Respond to requests for clarification and give reasons for making particular statements
• Ask the examiner at least one question about the topic area
• Where appropriate, make use of the language requirements shown below.

• Phase 2 – Conversation on two subject areas (up to 5 mins)

The examiner will then move onto the next stage of the interview, which is a conversation on two topics selected by the examiner. This phase gives candidates the chance to have a real and interesting exchange of information, ideas and opinions, while showing their ability to use the language of the grade.

The Conversation phase for GESE grade 5 consists of a discussion of two of the subject areas listed for your grade. Although the examiner will only select two of the subject areas listed below, candidates need to be prepared to talk about all of them.
• Festivals
• Means of transport
• Special occasions, e.g. birthday celebrations
• Entertainment, e.g. cinema, television, clubs
• Music
• Recent personal experiences
Please note: you should NOT select your own topic from the list of subject areas above. Your own topic should be specific and personal to you, rather than a general subject area such as those contained in this list.
In addition to the items listed for the previous grades (1-4), the candidate is expected to demonstrate the following communicative skills and meet the language requirements: For both phases, discussion of a prepared topic and conversation on 2 subject areas, you should make use of the language requirements as listed below:

Language requirements for GESE Grade 5

Language functions

● Talking about the future — informing and predicting
● Expressing preferences
● Talking about events in the indefinite and recent past
● Giving reasons
● Stating the duration of events
● Quantifying

Grammar

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

Lexis

● Vocabulary specific to the topic area
● Vocabulary specific to the subject areas
● Expressions relating to past and future time, e.g. two days ago, in the future
● Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above
Phonology
● The correct pronunciation of vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas
● The combination of weak forms and contractions, e.g. I’ve been to…
● Avoidance of speech patterns of recitation

In the Conversation phase

• 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 a subject area
• Where appropriate, make use of the language requirements listed above

To prepare for GESE Grade 5 Click on ‘Gd5 Serafim’ and ‘Gd5 Srija’ to watch a video of a candidate taking this exam

After you have watched the video then read the ‘Trinity marks for the grade 4-6 candidates’ to see the examiner’s score given for the candidate and why.
• Please see the summary of language requirements for each grade which outline the language functions, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation expected at each level.
Remember that GESE Grade 5 ESOL Entry 3 / B1 on the CEFR is approved by the Home Office for use in Settlement/ILR and Naturalisation applications on or after 28th October 2013.)
The Conversation phase is a meaningful and authentic exchange of information, ideas and opinions, rather than a formal ‘question and answer’ interview.

The Topic

Before the exam the candidate prepares a topic of his or her own choice and in the exam this is used as a basis for the discussion. Trinity College’s philosophy is that candidates should be given every opportunity to demonstrate to the examiner what they can do in English. This includes giving them the opportunity to talk about a topic which is of personal interest to them and which they feel confident talking about. Candidate choice is important and in selecting their own topic candidates have a degree of autonomy and control over this phase of the exam. The topic provides the candidate with the opportunity to show they can link sentences together to talk about a subject at some length. This phase gives the candidate the opportunity to use the communicative skills, language functions and language items of the grade.

 

The Interactive task

●An initial prompt from the examiner gives rise to an interaction controlled and maintained by the candidate.
●All the exam phases are ‘interactive’, but this is the phase in which the candidate’s own initiating skills are of paramount importance in determining the successful outcome of the task.
●The Interactive task provides the opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate his or her ability to take control through the use of questioning techniques and language functions associated with
requesting information, seeking clarification and encouraging further detail.
●At the Intermediate stage, candidates start to demonstrate their independence as users of English. This autonomy is further developed at the Advanced stage.

The Interactive task requires the candidate to initiate ‘turns’ in the conversation and control the direction of the interaction. This phase requires an authentic exchange of information and opinions, with the language functions listed at each grade arising naturally out of the task.

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.

For help in GESE exam preparation or to book your GESE Grade 5 B1 CEFR Exam or GESE Grade 2 A1 CEFR Exam click here

 

B1 Speaking and Listening Exam

Friday, January 3rd, 2014 at 10:32 pm  
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B1 Speaking and Listening Exam Requirement

From 28th October 2013, except for certain exemptions if you are from a particular country,  all applicants for settlement or naturalisation as a British citizen will have to meet the knowledge of language and life requirement by passing the Life in the UK test and having a Speaking and Listening qualification in English at B1 level CEFR or higher, or its equivalent.

You can see the new requirement from the UK Border Agency and Home Office in the the 8th April 2013 Knowledge of language and life in the UK for settlement and naturalisation statement of intent

Trinity College London’s Graded Examination in Spoken English (GESE) Grade 5 in Speaking and Listening skills is suitable for Settlement (or ILR) and Naturalisation applications made on or after 28th October 2013.

Trinity’s GESE grade 5 is set at B1 level on the CEFR and at ESOL Entry level 3 on the NQF and has also been regulated by  Ofqual – .Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation

This follows the June 2012 announcement from the government (see below) with changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR or Settlement) and Naturalisation as a British Citizen routes, that anticipated the new requirements that came into force from October 2013.

This means that now all applications made after the 28th of October 2013 for ILR/Settlement must now pass the Life in the UK Test and have an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) unless they are exempt by country of birth.

The official government announcement came in June 2012. It stated “From October 2013, all applicants for settlement will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of language and life in the UK by passing the Life in the UK test and by presenting a speaking and listening qualification at intermediate level (Common European Framework of Reference level B1) or above.

This language requirement, together with a knowledge of the values that underlie British society, will help ensure that those who settle here are able to participate in British life and are better able to gain employment.

The speaking and listening qualification must be secure, robust and generally available in the UK. We will consider these criteria over the coming months and will publish details of acceptable speaking and listening qualifications early next year.“

Trinity College’s Examination in Spoken English (GESE) Grade 5 in Speaking and Listening skills is a UK Border Agency and Home Office accepted test. you can prepare for this B1 Speaking and Listening Exam which consists of a ten minute interview with an official Trinity Examiner at our B1 test preparation centre.