Focus on English Speaking Skills

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Task-Based English Speaking Test
Computer Based
Focus on English Speaking Skills
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About the TBEST

• Task-Based English Speaking Test
• Taken on the computer
• Tests your English skills in four tasks which are
  important to teaching
• descriptive
• interpretative
• argumentative
• comprehensive

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TBEST Tasks

• Descriptive describe a person, thing
• Interpretive read a saying/proverb and say what
  you think it means
• Argumentative consider an issue and take a side
  to argue for or against it
• Comprehensive view a videoclip and use all
  previous skills (describe and interpret what you
  saw and make any arguments for or against the
  practices you saw)

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Procedure

• Put all your books, papers, pens, etc. in your
  bagno notes or scratch paper will be allowed
• Turn off cell phones, pagers, etc.
• Go into the computer lab and sit at the computer
  that you are assigned
• Put on the big, bulky headphones

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Sound Testing

• Speak your name into the microphone
• Listen to the recording to make sure your station
  is working properly
• If you hear your name play back quietly or
  loudly, your sound check is successful
• If you do not hear your voice at all, please
  raise your hand one of us will assist you

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Procedure

• After completing the sound check, use the
  registration form to log into the test
• Enter the details from the form to log in
• The TID (tester identification number) is a
  random code to protect your identity
• When the sound check is successful, you will
  begin the test itself

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TBEST Tasks 1-3

• Before Tasks 1-3, youll get instructions
• read the prompt for each task
• think for 20 seconds
• talk for 60 seconds
• Then youll see Task 1 (descriptive prompt)
• Then Task 2 (interpretative prompt)
• Then Task 3 (argumentative prompt)

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TBEST Task 4

• Following Tasks 1-3, youll get instructions to
  Task 4
• watch the video clip
• think for 20 seconds
• describe what you saw comment on it for 90
  seconds
• Task 4 is comprehensive, meaning it encompasses
  skills of all the other tasks

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Procedure

• The whole test takes less than 15 minutes
• When you have finished the test, the computer
  will reset for the next testerdo not start the
  test again
• wait quietly and patiently for us to dismiss
  everyone youll only have to wait a minute or
  two
• Please do not disturb your fellow test-takers who
  havent finished yet

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About Time

• You have 60 seconds to answer each question in
  Tasks 1-3
• You have 90 seconds to talk about the video clip
  in Task 4
• Please use as much of the time as possible
• youll see a timer count-down on the screen
• though you shouldnt just talk about nothing
• We need you to talk enough that someone can
  determine your level of English

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About Opinions

• There are no right answers to the TBEST
  questionsthe prompts lead you to share your own
  opinions
• You are being graded on your English skills, not
  your opinions
• Use your time planning how to say what you want,
  not looking for a right answer

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Scores

• Check with your hiring department for your scores
• 4-5 business days after the test (i.e. next
  Friday)

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Task-Based English Speaking Test
Computer Based
Good luck on the TBEST!
Focus on English Speaking Skills