Created by Alison Yang

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Mandarin Ab Initio Individual Oral Assessment

Fluency
Vocabulary
Stress
Pronunciation
Rhythms of speech
Ability to communicate
Grammar accuracy
Interactive communication
Message (information)
Prior to the assessment

Confirm the time and place of the assessment with the teacher.

Be sure to prepare!

Anticipate questions that may be asked on the exam, prepare answers for the
questions and then ask/answer questions that you think might be asked with another
person, preferably with someone in our class who knows the material.
Practice talking in front of a mirror so that you can evaluate your body language and/or

record your answers on a phone or computer and play it back to see how you sound
and your composure.
Show up at least five minutes early so that you can gather your thoughts and not feel

rushed.

Do not bring your cell phone to the exam. Stationary will be provided.

Speak at the right pace with clear pronunciation and intonation.

When you are not 100% sure, you can use the following language:

Less is more! There is no need to describe everything in the photo!

Last but not least, stay calm and try not to panic! It might help if you take a 8-minute
walk before the exam.

Describe where things are

in the visual stimulus.

Created by Alison Yang

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How to describe a visual stimulus? Suggested order (Table 1)

Start with a general statement
e.g.
Locationdescribe where things are in the
picture

What can you see in the picture?

Remember to use the position words.

What are things displayed in the visual

stimulus?

Placemention something about the

place

Where is it?

*
*
*...

Whats the place / scene like?

What is the place like?

Peoplespeculate about the characters

What do people look like?

Talk about peoples appearance, clothes,

relationship. If there is not a main
character, focus on the group.

What are they wearing?

How are they related?

Actiondescribe what is happening

*
*...
*...
*

What are the people doing?

Ideas & Other Detailsspeculate about

the scene

What has happened?

Give extra information about the scene to

add further details to your description.

What do you think will happen next

What else can be interesting in the

picture?

What is his/her emotional state?

What does the visual stimulus remind

you of?

What is your opinion about the photo?

*
*...
*

*......
Impressiongive some impressions and
opinions

Conclusionuse a sentence or two of

your own opinions of the visual stimulus

Created by Alison Yang

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Mandarin Ab Initio Individual Oral Assessment

Tips:
During preparation: (15 minutes)
1. When thinking about what to say, try to link to at least one or two themes out of the
three themes that are covered in the ab initio course.
Individual and society
Leisure and work
Urban and rural environment
2. Start to list the the topics relating to the visual stimulus you know well and extend the
content, by writing down the key outlines/words/phrases/short sentences to help with
the description.
3. When thinking about what to say, try to sequence your content, making a list about
what to say first, what to say next. (see Table 1)
Prepare a description of the scene/situation pictured in the visual stimulus (for
example, describe the people and the scene; imagine who they are and what they
are wearing; what are they doing; invent a story)
Prepare any personal interpretations/comments on the visual stimulus that you wish
to add (for example, depending on the picture, you might make a comparison with
your own family/country)
Let the people in the picture alive by making them say things or do things.
Use appropriate slightly more complex grammar structures to link your ideas.

,
,
,

...
, ,

Make a brief working notes (approximately 10 headings, but not more than) to take into
the interview room. A heading should be a single word or a short phrase, not full
sentences or connected text.
During Exam:
Part 1: Presentation of the visual stimulus (approximately 1-2 minutes)
1. Teacher: school name, code and subject (English)
2. Introduce yourself in Chinese with clear pronunciation:
(your official English name)
(candidate number)
3. Try to speak in full sentences as much as possible. However, also try to avoid very long
responses!
4. Avoid talking bits and bites about the picture randomly in short sentences.
5. Avoid using the words you are not sure or not known since you may get stuck.
Re-paraphrasing!
6. When finish describing the visual stimulus, end part 1 activity with the sentence,
I am done, thank you.

Created by Alison Yang

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Part 2: Questions on the visual stimulus (approximately 2-3 minutes)

1. Teacher will continue by saying (I would like to
ask you a couple of questions about this picture.)
2. Listen to the question carefully. If you dont understand the question, ask for
clarification or ask the teacher to repeat the question.
Example of questions that might be asked, but not limited:

Part 3: General conversation (approximately 4-5 minutes)

1. Teacher asks 2 questions on your written assignment and moves on to a discussion on
a broad range of topics.
2. Teacher begins to ask at least two questions about your written assignment.

3. Teachers continues the conversation by saying

-
-
-
* This interview will cover at least 2 ab initio topics from different themes.
* Student should always try to provide details to answers and take an active role in the
conversation.
* Always take the chance to compare your own culture and the target culture to show your
intercultural understanding.
* Try to direct the conversation towards something you are interested in and can talk about
easily.
* Speak naturally and be animated!
4. At the end of the recording, the teacher will say:

Other
* When you don't understand the question, try the following: