The items measuring oral comprehension are based on audio recordings, which vary in length and complexity depending on the target proficiency level. The audio recordings serve as the foundation for the questions appearing in one or more items.
Each item in oral comprehension includes:
Oral Comprehension – Level 1
In predictable situations, level 1 listeners can understand a few isolated words and expressions with the support of the speaker. They can understand, for example, times, dates, telephone numbers, abbreviations and acronyms, basic questions about their personal identity, the parts of the body and personal greetings.
Indicators
| OC-L1-1 | Recognize the numbers in telephone numbers, addresses, dates and times |
| OC-L1-2 | Recognize isolated words and a few memorized expressions in short exchanges of individual greetings, introductions and common courtesy formulas (one or two answers by the speaker) |
| OC-L1-4 | Recognize the days of the week and the months of the year |
| OC-L1-5 | Recognize words related to personal identity and information |
| OC-L1-6 | Recognize the parts of the body |
| OC-L1-7 | Recognize, from a list, the abbreviation or acronym that corresponds to the statement heard |
Oral Comprehension – Level 2
In predictable situations, level 2 listeners can understand simple sentences and short conversations with the support of the speaker. They can understand key words, common expressions and simple information. They can understand, for example, simple information on how an establishment operates and how to find their way around in it. They can also understand simple descriptions of people (weight, height, age) as well as numbers and colours.
Indicators
| OC-L2-1 | Recognize a few words related to colours, numbers, time, place and movement |
| OC-L2-2 | Grasp the meaning of a few key words and common expressions in short, simple conversations when the parties speak at a slow rate |
| OC-L2-4 | Understand that they are being asked to identify people and objects |
| OC-L2-5 | Grasp some simple, predictable information on how an establishment operates and how to find their way around in it |
| OC-L2-6 | Grasp some information on directions to follow and the spatial location of a place |
| OC-L2-7 | Recognize key words in a short dialogue providing a description of someone (weight, height, age) |
Oral Comprehension – Level 3
In predictable situations, level 3 listeners can understand the gist of a simple conversation or message. They can understand, for example, simple information on housing, a domestic problem, leisure or health. They can also understand measurements.
Indicators
| OC-L3-1 | Recognize a few words related to colours, numbers, time, location, movement and measurements |
| OC-L3-3 | Understand instructions concerning the directions to follow to locate a place or an object in space |
| OC-L3-4 | Recognize simple information about their health and that of someone else |
| OC-L3-5 | Recognize simple information about housing or a domestic problem |
| OC-L3-6 | Recognizes simple information about leisure or recreation |
| OC-L3-7 | Recognize the main idea in a simple advertisement |
Oral Comprehension – Level 4
In predictable situations, level 4 listeners can understand the meaning of a simple conversation or message. They can, for example, situate information in time (past, present, future) thanks to time markers and understand simple frequency markers. They can also understand the main information in an announcement (who? what? when? where?).
Indicators
| OC-L4-1 | Identify a few of the main ideas in simple presentations (who? what? when? where?) provided the topic is familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are presented in a direct manner in everyday language |
| OC-L4-2 | Recognize the main topic of television news about an event or accident, when the commentary is accompanied by a visual medium |
| OC-L4-3 | Take a simple telephone message |
| OC-L4-4 | Establish a sequence of events based on time markers heard in simple conversations |
| OC-L4-6 | Grasp the purpose of communication or the main idea |
| OC-L4-7 | Situate events by identifying time and frequency indicators |
| OC-L4-8 | Identify the intention of a message thanks to the speaker’s tone or intonation |
Oral Comprehension – Level 5
In predictable situations, level 5 listeners can follow conversations and discourse on concrete topics. They can, for example, identify the main ideas in a television or radio show, determine the relationship between people in a conversation and the intention of speaker (for example, to convince people to buy a product).
Indicators
| OC-L5-1 | Follow a normal conversation on concrete topics |
| OC-L5-2 | Identify the key points in simple presentations, provided the topic is familiar, the speech is clear, and the ideas are expressed succinctly in everyday language (for example, some television and radio shows) |
| OC-L5-3 | Sometimes grasp the relationship between speakers if the context facilitates comprehension and the situation is predictable |
| OC-L5-4 | Recognize the main ideas |
| OC-L5-5 | Recognize the intention of communication (for example, to persuade, sell, inform) |
Oral Comprehension – Level 6
In predictable or partially predictable situations, level 6 listeners can understand conversations and discourse on concrete topics. They can identify, for example, the primary and secondary ideas in a television or radio show, and distinguish fact from opinion if the distinction is explicit. They can also predict what comes next in discourse or the conclusion, if it is not given.
Indicators
| OC-L6-1 | Generally recognize primary and secondary ideas |
| OC-L6-3 |
Anticipate what comes next in a story Deduce or infer a plausible conclusion after hearing most of the facts |
| OC-L6-4 | Grasp the relationship between speakers in predictable situations |
Oral Comprehension – Level 7
In predictable or partially predictable situations, level 7 listeners can understand conversations or discourse on various concrete topics when speech is at a normal rate. They can understand, for example, a variety of common expressions as well as facts and events about work and leisure activities. They can also determine the attitude and emotions of the speakers in a conversation.
Indicators
| OC-L7-1 | Follow most ordinary conversations on familiar topics when the parties speak standard English at a normal rate |
| OC-L7-2 | Identify most of the main facts and events in conversations on the current situation at work or in leisure activities |
| OC-L7-3 | Make inferences about atmosphere, attitudes and emotions based on clear clues |
| OC-L7-4 | Recognize a variety of common words and popular idiomatic expressions |
Oral Comprehension – Level 8
In predictable or partially predictable situations, level 8 listeners can understand conversations and opinion discourse on various concrete topics. They can, for example, understand academic vocabulary as well as vocabulary specific to their field of study. They can follow conversations and understand discourse in a formal context. They can also recognize the different parts of a presentation, and distinguish fact from opinion in discourse when the distinction is explicit.
Indicators
| OC-L8-1 | Follow most conversations in formal and informal contexts |
| OC-L8-2 | Understand the usual vocabulary specific to their field of study |
| OC-L8-3 | Follow a structured oral presentation |
| OC-L8-4 | Distinguish factual information from opinion when the distinction is explicit |
| OC-L8-5 | Recognize language markers that enable them to grasp chronological order, comparisons, contrasts, and cause and effect relationships |
Oral Comprehension – Level 9
In sometimes unpredictable situations, level 9 listeners can understand conversations and discourse on various, sometimes abstract topics. They can identify, for example, key information in a presentation, and distinguish fact from opinion in discourse when the distinction is implicit. They can recognize the tone used by speakers and their social role in complex exchanges.
Indicators
| OC-L9-1 | Identify points that will facilitate decision-making in an exchange with known collaborators |
| OC-L9-3 | Distinguish factual information from opinions even when opinions are implicit |
| OC-L9-5 | Recognize the tone of a conversation |
| OC-L9-6 | Understand sometimes abstract remarks in known contexts |
| OC-L9-7 | Distinguish the social roles of different speakers in dialogues involving complex social interaction |
Oral Comprehension – Level 10
In sometimes unpredictable situations, level 10 listeners can easily understand conversations and discourse on various sometimes abstract topics even when speech is at a fast rate. They can understand varied vocabulary. They can understand, for example, the values conveyed by discourse and sometimes identify contradictions in reasoning. They can also understand when the hypothetical and conditional are used.
Indicators
| OC-L10-1 | Clearly grasp the meaning of comments and criticism made during a formal exchange with unknown collaborators |
| OC-L10-2 | Recognize elements of language indicating the persuasive nature of discourse |
| OC-L10-3 | Clearly follow various types of discourse when speech is at a normal to fast rate |
| OC-L10-4 | Sometimes infer contradictions in discourse |
| OC-L10-5 | Understand varied vocabulary |
| OC-L10-6 | Recognize when the hypothetical and conditional are used in the past |
| OC-L10-7 | Deduce the values conveyed by discourse |