Communicative Success (Would a listener accustomed to the speech of learners understand?)

A

Understand all of the message.

Understand the general message and most of the details.

B

Understand general message, but only some of the details.

C

Have some idea of the general message, but would not be sure to have understood.

D-F

Do not understand what the speaker is trying to say.

Pronunciation & Fluency

A

Speech is smooth; speaker is comfortable and confident in use of the language. No mispronunciation that would interfere with comprehension by a sympathetic native speaker.

Speech is occasionally hesitant; some rephrasing. Mispronunciation causing misunderstanding occurs only rarely.

B

Speech is hesitant (e.g. frequent rephrasing, sentences left unfinished, long pauses). Several misunderstandings arise from mispronunciation of words or errors in intonation.

C

Speech hesitant and choppy; conversation is almost impossible. Mispronunciation and inaccurate stress make understanding difficult. Has to repeat a lot to be understood; OR not enough speech to evaluate.

D-F

Speech limited to isolated words, or mispronunciation makes comprehension impossible.

 Vocabulary

A

Shows control of a wide range of the vocabulary taught in class and always uses this vocabulary appropriately.

Shows control of an adequate range of the vocabulary taught in class and most often uses this vocabulary appropriately.

B

Some control of new vocabulary, but relies on fixed expressions/basic vocabulary or uses vocabulary inappropriately.

C

Shows very limited control of the vocabulary taught, making discussion of related topics extremely difficult; OR not enough speech to evaluate.

D-F

Shows no command of the vocabulary taught, making communication impossible.

 Grammar

A

Shows consistent control of the structures taught in class and communication is never impeded.

Usually controls structures taught in class.

B

Shows partial control of structures taught in class.

C

Speech is very difficult to understand due to lack of control of structures taught; OR not enough speech to evaluate.

D-F

Extreme lack of control of structures taught in class.

Role Plays/Interviews (Does it sound like a real conversation?)

A

Exchange is well-connected and appropriate to the topic and situation. Amount of time spent conversing is appropriate for the task assigned and the topic is adequately covered.

Exchange is usually well-connected and appropriate to the topic and situation.

B

Some misunderstandings occur because discourse is not sufficiently connected or conversation is not always appropriate to the topic and situation; or speaker(s) does not maintain conversation for assigned length of time and needs to be told to continue.

C

Misunderstandings frequently occur between participants because discourse is not connected; or conversation is often inappropriate to topic or situation.

D-F

Exchange is not connected (many non-sequiturs; speaker unable to hold up his/her end of the conversation); or conversation is entirely inappropriate to topic or situation.