SPEAKING in the Russian State Exam:

when, what and how?

Maria Verbitskaya, Federal Institute for
Pedagogical Measurement
Ludmila Kozhevnikova, Samara State University

www.proset-tempus.net

Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.

Performance testing and speaking skills

RSE speaking paper: structure and content
Scoring
Preparing students for the RSE speaking
tasks

Performance testing
Performance testing in second language proficiency
assessment is traditionally used to describe the
approach in which a candidate produces a sample
of spoken or written language that is observed
and evaluated by an agreed judging process
(McNamara 1996)

Performance testing
1. Sample of written or spoken language

2. Simulates behaviour in the real world

Not like paper-and-pencil objective tests

3. Observed and evaluated by agreed judging

process
(Green, A., 2012)

Speaking tasks
A communicative task is a piece of classroom work which
involves learners in comprehending, manipulating,
producing or interacting in the target language while
their attention is principally focused on meaning rather
than form (Nunan1993:59)
Speaking tasks can be seen as activities that involve
speakers in using language for the purpose of achieving a
particular goal or objective in a particular speaking
situation (Bachman and Palmer 1996:44)

Speaking as a skill
Communicative task fulfillment/content
Fluency
Accuracy
Vocabulary and grammar range
Interaction

(6 .
)


2012 .



( 70 000 700 000 )

3.Imagine that you are preparing

a project with your friend
You have found some interesting material for the
presentation and you want to read this text to your
friend. You have one minute to read the text
silently, then be ready to read it out aloud.

C3. You have one minute to read the text

silently, then be ready to read it out
aloud.

You dont see many birds in winter. Most have left

your area. Those that stay are not as active. Activity
uses energy that is needed to keep warm.
The worst problems for birds in winter are getting
enough heat and holding on to the heat once it is
made. These are problems for all birds.

C4. Study the advertisement.

1) give a brief description of the photos (action,
location)
2) say in what way the pictures are different
3) say which of the pastimes presented in the
pictures you prefer
4) explain your choice

.. -2013

C4. Study the advertisement.

You decided to visit the place and now you are calling to
make some clarifications. In a minute you are to ask five
questions to find out the following:
1) dates for departures
2) hotel facilities
3) if breakfast is included
4) number of city tours
5) availability of party reductions

5 max.

C5. Imagine that while travelling during

your holidays you took some photos.

Choose one photo to present to your

friend. You have one minute to think it over.
When presenting the picture remember to mention:
when you took the photo
what/who is in the photo
what is happening
why you took the photo
why you decided to show the picture to your friend

7 max.
.. -2013

6. Study the two photographs.

.. -2013

15

6. Study the two photographs.

In a minute be ready to
1) give a brief description of the photos (action,
location)
2) say in what way the pictures are different
3) say which of the pastimes presented in the
pictures you prefer
4) explain your choice

7 max.
.. -2013

Soring: speaking as a skill

Communicative task fulfillment/content
Fluency
Accuracy
Vocabulary and grammar range
(Interaction)

Teaching for the Exam

:
.
Exam Success*
[*Exam Success by W.Rimmer, O.Vinogradova, with
L.Kozhevnikova.
Course Consultant: M.V. Verbitskaya. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2013]

 5. .
?
(
)- max. 3
- max. 2
(
,
)
- max. 2

Describing places
and objects

Describing places
and buildings

 6. ?
. Max. 3 :
1. (
)
2.
3.
4.
5. .
- max. 2 (
,
)
- max. 2

( ).

Scaffolding

 3.

?
:

Pronunciation

Speaking strategies.
Monitor production(
)

Use cohesive
devices

.

,
- .
,


,
,

.

Questions?

THANK YOU!