Final Speaking Test Guidelines

Group Discussion

Your midterm speaking test will be a group discussion. This discussion will be based on Units 8, 9 and 10 of the Top Notch 1 student book.

You will have the discussion in random groups of 3 or 4 students. Each student will be individually graded. The speaking test will be approximately 15 to 20 minutes long (at least 5 minutes per student).

Your group will discuss at least one random question/prompt from Parts One, Two and Three. Part Three will consist of questions/prompts made by your speaking test group and approved by the teacher on Day 15 of class. Students should elaborate on main ideas, ask follow-up questions, add comments and give reasons and examples. The group discussion should be balanced in terms of individual student talk-time. You cannot use any form of notes or written material during the discussion.

part one		part two
1.	Discuss clothing do’s and don’ts in your country.	7.	What items of clothing do you consider provocative in this country?
2.	What kinds of shoes and clothes are appropriate in the classroom?	8.	Do you think wearing uniforms is a good idea?
3.	What means of transportation do you prefer on different occasions?	9.	Do you often use public transportation?
4.	Talk about transportation problems that you have had.	10.	Have you ever been in a traffic accident?
5.	Discuss your spending habits.	11.	Do you compare prices at different stores when you shop?
6.	Where should people go in your city or town for the best deals?	12.	Do you give tips at a restaurant in your country?

 part three

Questions/prompts 13​—18: to be confirmed during class on Day 15 of class.

Grading Rubric

Your total grade of 15 points is based equally upon topic development, language use, and delivery (fluency, pronunciation and intonation). However, if your interaction in the discussion is minimal you will receive reduced scores for language use and delivery. Please see the grading rubric below:

Points	1	<3	>3	5
Topic development	Little or no interaction so couldn’t grade.	Made few attempts to develop the discussion. Never or rarely elaborated on main ideas. Mostly only answered questions. Many miscomprehensions. Very unbalanced interaction.	Made some attempts to develop the discussion by asking questions and making comments. Sometimes elaborated on main ideas. Some miscomprehensions. Slightly unbalanced interaction.	Constantly attempted to develop the discussion by asking questions and making comments. Continually elaborated on main ideas. Full comprehension. Balanced interaction.
Language use	Little or no interaction so couldn’t grade.	Many grammar and/or vocabulary errors that made communication very difficult to understand. Limited range of vocabulary.	Some grammar and/or vocabulary errors, but few that seriously interfered with communication. Slightly limited range of vocabulary.	Grammar or vocabulary use didn’t interfere with communication. Wide range of vocabulary.
Delivery	Little or no interaction so couldn’t grade.	Persistent problems with fluency, pronunciation, intonation, stress, and/or volume that made communication very difficult.	Some problems with fluency, pronunciation, intonation, stress, and/or volume which made communication difficult.	Few or no problems with fluency, pronunciation, intonation, stress, and/or volume. No interference with communication.