Characteristics of the Linguaskill English exam Module 3: Speaking (levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1)

It is very likely that you need an official English certificate in which you have to prove your oral level, the linguistic expression skills you have when speaking. If, in addition, you need or want to acquire your degree quickly, Linguaskill is the certification that best suits you. It is a new tool, a level test, which allows you to obtain results in 48 hours. If this is your case, today we want to show you one of the essential tests that make up the Linsguaskill English test, module 3 Speaking. We explain what it consists of, how to prepare the test successfully and we provide you with material so that you can work on it yourself.

Do you know what Linguaskill is?

Linguaskill is a test that adapts to your level of English and when carried out by computer the test is fast and accurate. The results are in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for languages, considered the international standard framework that serves to describe the linguistic skills organized at different levels. This test covers all these possible levels that can be certified in a foreign language, from level A1 to level C1 or higher, passing through all intermediate levels. The parts that the Linguaskill exam is divided into are: Writing, Speaking, and Reading and Listening, which you can do all together or examine any of them separately.

If what you need is to accredit your level of English, from the initial level A1 to the advanced level C1 or higher, either for an oppositions test, to be able to graduate or to access a scholarship such as Erasmus, ICEX, etc., Cambridge University offers you the possibility of taking a test and obtaining the results in 48 hours.

In addition, taking into account the current situation caused by the coronavirus, the University of Cambridge has adopted the test to be able to perform it from home, offering the maximum guarantee and security in its realization, evaluation, and results. In other words, you have a completely flexible test to do from home in these times. To be able to adhere to this new possibility, you must have the following tools:

"A computer, either laptop or desktop." It must be at least 15 ″. It is essential that you have a webcam to be able to perform these tests:

—Connection to the Internet, preferably with fiber optics, as this is what will ensure that the information is sent correctly to Cambridge:

—It is essential to have headphones and a microphone so that both Listening and Speaking are carried out normally;

—A space where you can be alone and uninterrupted the day you take the test.

Cambridge uses exceptional measures in these circumstances, both for registration and for the examination by means of facial recognition that performs all the checks. A software based on artificial intelligence will be in charge of informing the examination center of the candidate's behavior at all times.

Who can do Linguaskill?

The Linguaskill test can be done by anyone, but it is especially advisable for everyone who wants to have their level of English certified in 48 hours. However, it is characterized by being in high demand within the following groups specifically:

—Students: most Spanish universities accept Linguaskill when it comes to fulfilling the Erasmus, postgraduate, and graduation requirements. It can serve all students who are going to graduate and have to demonstrate a level; for those students who wish to go with a scholarship to study in a foreign country or for those who want to access certain universities where a certain level of English is required as an entry requirement.

- Universities: when they need to measure a candidate's level of English for admissions processes, assess progress in learning, or graduate, Linguaskill can help to do so quickly and accurately.

—Companies: Linguaskill can be used as a tool in the selection and promotion processes, to ensure that the candidate has the appropriate language skills for a job, or to evaluate the effectiveness of internal English training programs.

Linguaskill Speaking: characteristics of the test

This is a test that lasts 15 minutes, in which the candidates will have to take the five parts that make it up, with which they will control what oral expression capacity the candidates have.

It is a test that requires the use of a computer and headphones with a microphone. The questions are presented to the candidates via the screen and headphones. The responses are recorded and subsequently evaluated by the examiners. Results will be available within 48 hours.

The parts of this test are:

1. A) Interview:

- The candidate answers 8 personal questions, the first 2 do not score. The score corresponds to 20% of the test score.

1. B) Read aloud:

- The candidate reads 8 sentences aloud. The score corresponds to 20% of the test score.

1. C) Long shift 1:

- The candidate is given a topic to talk about for about a minute. You are given 40 seconds to prepare. The score corresponds to 20% of the test score.

1. D) Long shift 2:

- The candidate is shown one or more charts, for example, a chart, a diagram, or an information sheet, about which they should talk for a minute. You are given one minute to prepare. The score corresponds to 20% of the test score.

1. E) Communicative activity:

- The candidate expresses his opinion, in the form of short answers, on five questions related to a topic. You are given one minute to prepare. The score corresponds to 20% of the test score.

Tips for preparing the test on your own

It is not necessary to go to an academy or find a specific coach to take the Linguaskill Speaking test. You can do it on your own, as long as you follow a series of fundamental guidelines that will help you achieve the final objective, obtain your degree in which the level you need is reflected. To do this, the following recommendations can help you:

—It is necessary to have previous knowledge of English relative to the level at which you are going to take the exam. You can't enroll yourself without knowing any English or if you haven't practiced for a long time. In order for you to pass the exam as successfully as possible, you need to be fluent and verbally rich;

—To prepare for this exam on your own, and this specific Speaking test, you must dedicate weekly time to this specific test within your study plan. It is essential that every week you spend at least a couple of hours preparing for this specific test;

—Reading will help you a lot, to acquire vocabulary and structures; It will also take a lot of listening, which is essential to get accents and pronunciation. You should introduce these activities in practice and in the preparation of Speaking;

—Listening to native speakers rigorously is what will allow you to obtain the highest mark in Writing. You must speak as much as possible, establish conversations and ask them to correct you, it is essential for you to be involved in circumstances in which you have to defend yourself speaking in English, which will give you fluency and the fundamental tools to take the test;

—Reading aloud is necessary, a lot, since it is a test that you are going to examine yourself. To do this, do a lot of listening before and so the pronunciation will be clear to you;

—It is necessary to prepare the description of photos, graphics, etc., with the time that the test lasts, it is essential that you have worked well the time that each part of the Linguaskill Speaking lasts;

—Do not feel bad, but it is essential that you stand in front of a mirror and prepare the individual intervention tests. It is very important that you also work on body language, since that says a lot about you and the security you have when you express yourself in English.

Linguaskill Speaking Core Preparation Materials

With this compilation of material, you will be able to prepare for the Linguaskill Speaking test. We advise you to review them all, each of them will help you pay attention to a certain aptitude that will be good for you to work on and strengthen to obtain the best result on the exam.

—The University of Cambridge itself offers you the following material with which you can prepare directly for the Speaking test.

Also this series of resources, will help you with your level of English, with material for you to prepare for the Linguaskill Reading and Listening.

In addition, you have games, apps, and social networks that will come in handy.

—These lists of movies and series can help you a lot. Focus on your level and work with them. You must pay close attention to the accent and pronunciation:

Levels A1-A2.

Levels B1-B2.

Levels C1-C2.

—It is essential that you work with a good dictionary to solve all the doubts that may come to you while you prepare for the test and look for new words. In the following link, you have a recommendation of which ones can serve you.

—With these books you can prepare for the complete Linguaskill exam:

Level B1 Student book.

Level B1 Activity book.

Level B2.

Level C1.

Results

Regarding obtaining the results after taking the test, in the following table, you can verify what level you would obtain with each of the possible scores so that you can get an idea of ​​what it would correspond to:

You have to know that the general results of the Linguaskill test are provided in 48 hours. A computer-generated Test Report will be sent, so there is no waiting for printed certificates or other documents. However, currently and as a novelty, the examiners that perform Linguaskill now have the option of allowing their candidates to consult their results on the internet and not have to receive the Test Report. Each center chooses whether or not to make this feature available to candidates.

Regarding the characteristics of these reports, take into account what they are like and what they will show you:

—The score in each of the skills that have been tested, allowing you to quickly understand your level of English;

—The level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) that you possess in each of the skills that have been examined;

—An average score according to the Cambridge English Scale and the associated CEFR level;

—An explanation of what each score means in terms of English skills, allowing you to see where you are doing well and where you can improve.

Centers can also generate reports for individual candidates or for groups, depending on specific needs. You can also break down the scores by group and by level, allowing easy comparison of capabilities across your organization if applicable.

Register

If you have made the decision to take the test, from the following link you can see directly which centers we recommend for you to take the Linguaskill Reading and Listening module.

You can contact your exam center directly and they will advise you and inform you of everything you need.