SEW4

Introduction

Candidate profile
A candidate who has successfully passed SEW 4:
• can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly
• can expand and develop the point being discussed without any support and can handle interjections well
• has a good command of a wide range of complex language structures, vocabulary and functions
• can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes
• can recognise and appreciate different registers and degrees of formality.
This profile is based on the level Independent User, C1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (2001).

Format
The SEW 3 examination consists of the following:
• Telephone task - Guidance
• Interactive task - Guidance
• Introductions
• Formal presentation of a topic prepared by the candidate - Guidance
• Candidate-led discussion of the topic presentation with the examiner - Guidance
• Discussion on one subject area selected by the examiner - Guidance
• End of examination and leave-taking.

Procedure
The examination begins with the Telephone task. The candidate is shown to the telephone room by the supervisor where they are given a written prompt. The candidate has a short time in which to read the prompt and, if they wish, make notes. The candidate then telephones the examiner, who is in another room. It is the responsibility of the candidate to initiate the conversation in order to resolve the issue and bring it to a successful close. This task lasts no more than four minutes.
When this phase is over the candidate and examiner stay on the phone for the Interactive task. The examiner remains in the same role as in the Telephone task and gives the candidate an oral prompt to which the candidate has to respond by questioning the examiner, for example, to find out more information, soften and downplay propositions and express reservations. Once the examiner has set up the situation the candidate takes responsibility for maintaining the interaction. This phase lasts no more than four minutes. If the candidate fails to initiate or to maintain the interaction, the phase will not extend to the full four minutes.
Once this phase is over the candidate will go to the examination room and meet the examiner. The examiner introduces themselves and spends a few moments setting the candidate at ease. The examiner also asks the candidate for their ID and the examination proceeds to the next phase.
The examiner invites the candidate to present their work-related topic. The candidate provides the examiner with a written outline of the topic in note form before starting their presentation.
The candidate gives an oral Formal topic presentation. The examiner makes notes during the presentation to inform the following discussion. This phase lasts no more than eight minutes.
After bringing the presentation to an end, the candidate initiates the Topic discussion by asking whether the examiner would like to comment on any specific points raised in the presentation. The examiner may ask for clarification, and/or justification whilst engaging in further debate of the issues raised in the presentation. This phase lasts no more than five minutes.
After this, the examiner moves on to the Discussion. The examiner selects one of the listed subject areas andengages the candidate in conversation. During the discussion the candidate gives information, makes statements and responds as appropriate. This phase lasts no more than five minutes.
The examiner brings the phase and the examination to an end.

Assessment
The examiner assesses the candidate’s performance by selecting one of four levels of performance and awards a letter grade A, B, C or D for Task fulfilment for the Telephone task, Interactive task, Topic presentation, Topic discussion, and Discussion phases. These can be classified as follows:
A — Distinction
B — Merit
C — Pass
D — Fail
The combination of the five letter grades awarded for Task fulfilment, i.e. one each for the Telephone task, Interactive task, Formal topic presentation, Topic discussion and the Discussion, provides the overall level of achievement. The examiner gives a provisional indication on the Report form as to whether the candidate has passed or failed.

Format
Total examination time: 27 minutes
(including 1 minute for room change after the Telephone task)
The examination consists of five assessed phases:
• Telephone task (up to 4 minutes)
• Interactive task (up to 4 minutes)
• Formal presentation of a topic prepared by the candidate (up to 8 minutes)
• Candidate-led discussion of the topic presentation with the examiner (up to 5 minutes)
• Discussion on one subject area selected by the examiner (up to 5 minutes)

Candidate performance
In performing the required tasks, the candidate is expected to demonstrate the following communicative skills and use the language items listed overleaf.

Communicative skills

In the Telephone task
• Initiate the discourse
• Use appropriate register and conventions as required by the task
• Seek clarification of the written prompt if necessary
• Show understanding of the examiner by responding appropriately to verbal prompts
• Maintain and control the discourse by asking for and giving information and elaborating as appropriate
• Where appropriate to the individual task, include exponents of the functions listed below

In the Interactive task
• Take full responsibility for maintaining the flow of conversation by changing the direction of the conversation when necessary
• Use turn-taking conventions to facilitate a successful conclusion to the interaction
• Relate their own contributions to the prompt

In the Formal Topic presentation
• Give a formal presentation, informative and partly discursive in nature, on a chosen subject, with an identifiable structure, using discourse connectors and cohesive devices with evidence of some controlled use of organisational patterns
• Introduce the presentation, develop and support particular points of view with subsidiary points and conclude

In the Topic discussion
• Be prepared to justify the ideas and opinions given in the presentation
• Engage the examiner by inviting questions and encouraging comment on the ideas etc. provided in the presentation
• Respond to challenges made by the examiner

In the Discussion
• Anticipate the direction of the conversation and cope with change of direction
• Demonstrate the ability to infer and extract meaning from vague or imprecise language
• Evaluate and challenge statements and arguments made by the examiner
• Participate fully without much obvious searching for expressions

One subject area for conversation will be selected by the examiner from the list below:
• Current trends in business
• Equal opportunities
• Ethics in business
• Unemployment
• Workers’ rights

Functions
• Developing and justifying an argument
• Deducing
• Softening and downplaying propositions
• Expressing caution
• Challenging arguments and opinions
• Evaluating different standpoints
• Defending a point of view
• Summarising information, ideas and arguments
• Expressing reservations and politely refusing

Language production
The candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to use the items listed below, in addition to the items listed for the previous levels.

Grammar
• All the basic structures specified for SEW 1, exercising complete control
• The more complex structures of SEW 2 and SEW 3, used in combination and contrast, with only very occasional lapses

Lexis
• Vocabulary specific to the topic category and subject areas
• Expressions used before challenging, e.g. That’s a good point but…, Perhaps I didn’t explain my point clearly…
• Expressions for downplaying and softening, e.g. It’s quite difficult, If I could just ask…
• Signposting expressions, e.g. I’d like to begin with…, On the other hand…, So to sum up…
• Tentative expressions, e.g. I may be wrong but… Don’t you think it might be…
• Language of caution, e.g. It tends to be, It seems as if…
• Vague and imprecise language, e.g. a bit more, a hundred people or so

Phonology
• The correct pronunciation of topic-category and subject-area specific vocabulary
• Various features of pronunciation which only occasionally deviate from an internationally intelligible model. Minimal L1 interference at word and sentence level
• A range of stress and intonation patterns, pitch and volume to convey shifts in meaning and attitude