GESE Grade 6 Speaking and Listening — Trinity College London English For Speakers of Other Languages Foundations for Learning Revision

    GESE Grade 6 evaluates learners' B1.2 speaking and listening abilities through a 10-minute conversation with an examiner. Candidates must discuss a self-se

    Topic Synopsis

    GESE Grade 6 evaluates learners' B1.2 speaking and listening abilities through a 10-minute conversation with an examiner. Candidates must discuss a self-selected topic, then engage in a broader conversation on familiar subjects, demonstrating they can understand clear speech, express opinions, describe experiences, and give reasons for their views and plans.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    GESE Grade 6 Speaking and Listening

    TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON
    vocational

    GESE Grade 6 evaluates learners' B1.2 speaking and listening abilities through a 10-minute conversation with an examiner. Candidates must discuss a self-selected topic, then engage in a broader conversation on familiar subjects, demonstrating they can understand clear speech, express opinions, describe experiences, and give reasons for their views and plans.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    3
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 6) (B1.2)

    Topic Overview

    The TCL Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening (Entry 3) (GESE Grade 6) (B1.2) is designed for learners who have a solid foundation in English and are ready to communicate with greater independence. At this level, you are expected to handle a range of everyday topics, express opinions, and engage in discussions on familiar subjects. The exam assesses your ability to speak clearly, listen actively, and interact appropriately in social and transactional contexts. This qualification is widely recognised by employers and educational institutions as evidence of practical English skills at the B1.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

    The exam consists of a one-to-one conversation with a Trinity examiner, lasting about 10 minutes. It includes a topic discussion (where you present and discuss a topic you have prepared), a conversation on a subject chosen by the examiner, and a listening task where you respond to a short audio clip. Success in this exam demonstrates that you can communicate effectively in most everyday situations, such as giving directions, making arrangements, and expressing feelings. Mastering this level builds confidence for further study, work, or daily life in an English-speaking environment.

    This qualification fits into the broader ESOL framework as a stepping stone between intermediate and upper-intermediate levels. It bridges the gap between basic survival English (Entry 2) and more complex communication (Entry 4/Level 1). By focusing on both speaking and listening, it ensures you develop balanced skills essential for real-world interactions. The GESE Grade 6 syllabus emphasises fluency, coherence, and the ability to handle unpredictable questions, preparing you for higher-level exams and authentic communication challenges.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Topic Presentation: You must prepare a topic of personal interest (e.g., a hobby, your job, or a place you know) and be ready to discuss it for up to 5 minutes. This includes explaining why you chose it, describing key aspects, and answering the examiner's questions.
    • →Interactive Listening: You need to listen carefully to the examiner's questions and the audio clip, then respond appropriately. This involves understanding main ideas, details, and implied meaning, as well as asking for clarification if needed.
    • →Conversation Management: You should be able to initiate, maintain, and end a conversation naturally. This includes using discourse markers (e.g., 'firstly', 'on the other hand'), turn-taking phrases, and responding to the examiner's prompts with relevant comments or questions.
    • →Functional Language: Use a range of language functions such as expressing opinions (e.g., 'I believe that...'), agreeing/disagreeing politely (e.g., 'I see your point, but...'), making suggestions, and giving reasons. At B1.2, you should also use some conditional structures (e.g., 'If I had more time, I would...').
    • →Pronunciation and Fluency: Speak clearly with appropriate intonation, stress, and rhythm. Avoid long pauses; use fillers (e.g., 'well', 'you know') naturally to maintain flow. Your speech should be coherent and easy to follow.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1) understand the main points of clear speech on familiar matters2) enter into conversation, express personal opinions and exchange information on familiar subjects of personal interest or related to everyday life3) demonstrate a sufficient range of language to describe experiences and events and give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for providing extended, relevant responses that incorporate personal experiences, opinions, and reasons, moving beyond simple yes/no answers.
    • Credit should be given for effective use of a range of grammatical structures, including past, present, and future tenses, to describe events and discuss plans.
    • Credit for demonstrating interactive communication by initiating questions, responding appropriately to the examiner's prompts, and maintaining a natural conversational flow.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡In the topic phase, treat it as a natural discussion: use prompts like photos or objects to guide the conversation, but remain flexible so you can respond to the examiner's questions and expand on your points.
    • 💡For the conversation phase, practice speaking about everyday topics such as work, studies, hobbies, or future plans, and focus on giving reasons for your opinions to meet the communicative demand.
    • 💡Listen carefully to the examiner's questions and reformulate them in your response to show comprehension, for example, 'You asked me about my weekend plans, so I'd say...' This also buys thinking time.
    • 💡During the topic discussion, show genuine interest and enthusiasm. Use phrases like 'That's an interesting question' or 'Let me give you an example' to buy thinking time. This demonstrates confidence and keeps the conversation flowing naturally.
    • 💡For the conversation section, listen actively and respond to the examiner's cues. If you don't understand, politely ask for repetition or clarification (e.g., 'Sorry, could you say that again?'). This shows you can manage communication breakdowns effectively.
    • 💡Practice speaking about a variety of everyday topics (e.g., travel, technology, health) with a timer. Record yourself to check for clarity, pace, and use of fillers. Aim for a steady rhythm without rushing. Remember, pauses are fine if you use them to think, but avoid long silences.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Candidates often over-rehearse their topic presentation, leading to a memorized monologue rather than a genuine two-way interaction, which limits their ability to display spontaneous language.
    • Many learners provide minimal or abrupt responses during the conversation phase, missing opportunities to showcase their range of language and failing to elaborate with reasons or examples.
    • Candidates sometimes struggle to express opinions under pressure, falling back on simple agreement or vague language, rather than using phrases like 'In my view' or 'I partly agree because' to demonstrate B1-level discourse.
    • Misconception: You must memorise a long speech for the topic presentation. Correction: The examiner expects a natural, interactive discussion, not a monologue. Prepare key points and practice speaking spontaneously. You should be ready to answer follow-up questions and expand on your ideas.
    • Misconception: You need to use very complex vocabulary and grammar to get a high mark. Correction: At B1.2, clarity and communication are more important than complexity. Using simple structures accurately is better than making errors with advanced language. Focus on being understood and responding appropriately.
    • Misconception: The listening task requires you to remember every word. Correction: You only need to understand the main points and specific details relevant to the questions. It's okay to ask the examiner to repeat the audio or clarify a question. The task tests your ability to extract key information, not perfect recall.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Completion of GESE Grade 5 (Entry 2) or equivalent B1.1 level, where you learned to handle simple conversations on familiar topics and give basic descriptions.
    • •A solid understanding of present, past, and future tenses, as well as common modal verbs (can, must, should) and basic conditionals (first conditional).
    • •Familiarity with asking and answering questions about personal experiences, preferences, and routines, as well as giving simple opinions and reasons.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1) understand the main points of clear speech on familiar matters2) enter into conversation, express personal opinions and exchange information on familiar subjects of personal interest or related to everyday life3) demonstrate a sufficient range of language to describe experiences and events and give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans

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    GESE Grade 6 Speaking and Listening (Trinity College London English For Speakers of Other Languages)