Scribd
Upload
55 views

Placement Interview Questions

Uploaded by

Gaby Villatoro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
55 views

Placement Interview Questions

Uploaded by

Gaby Villatoro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Oral Placement Interview Questions

The interview should take a maximum of 10 minutes.

 The questions are organised by topic.


 The first instruction or question is a general one which more advanced candidates should
be able to answer.
 The further prompts should be used when the candidate does not answer fully or does not
understand the question or is at a low level.
 Try to ensure a smooth progression through the topics - do not jump randomly from topic
to topic.
 Chose appropriate topics i.e. do not ask a teenager if they are married.
 Use the CEFR information on pages 2 and 3 to help you place the student.

Procedure 1. Start the interview by welcoming the candidate and asking for their name.
2. Choose from the topics below as appropriate.
3. Finish the interview by thanking the candidate.
4. Make a note of the candidate’s level in speaking.

Topics and questions

Topic Main instruction/ Further prompts


question
Your work Tell me something about What do you do?
your job Where do you work?
Do you enjoy it?
What do you like best about your job?
Your family Tell me something about Are you married?
your family Do you have any children?
Do you come from a large family?
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Where you live Tell me something about Where do you live?
where you live Is it a nice place to live?
What do you like about living there?
If you could live anywhere, where would you like to live? Why?
Your interests Tell me something about Do you have a hobby?
your interests Do you do any sports?
What do you do in your free time?
What kind of music do you like?
Can you play a musical instrument?
Do you have a pet?
Your plans for What are your plans for Do you have any plans for the weekend?
the future the future? What would you like to do in the future?
Where would you like to work in the future? Why?
Which country would you like to visit in the future? Why?
The past Tell me something about Where did you go for your last holiday/vacation?
your last holiday. Was it a good holiday?
Did you go with family or friends?
What do you remember most?
English Why are you learning How long have you been learning English?
English? Where have you been learning English?
What coursebook have you used?
Do you enjoy it? Do you like learning English?
Why do you think using English is important?
Hypothetically What would you do if you won a million dollars?
speaking If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?

1
Council Listening/Speaking
ALTE of
Europe

Can advise on or talk about about complex or sensitive issues,


5 C2 understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with
hostile questions.

Can contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own


4 C1 area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree
of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.

Can follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a


3 B2
conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.

Can express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited


2 B1 way or offer advice within a known area, and understand
instructions or public announcements.

Can express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar


1 A2
context.

Can understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual


0 A1
conversation on a predictable topic.

2
Common Reference Global Scales
In these global scales there are three levels: basic user (A,) independent user (B), and proficient
user (C), and these are further divided into two.

Proficient User C2
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from
different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent
presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating
finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Proficient User C1
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can
express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can
produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of
organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Independent User B2
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including
technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and
spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for
either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint
on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Independent User B1
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered
in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an
area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are
familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions
and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Basic User A2
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate
relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography,
employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct
exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of
his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Basic User A1
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the
satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and
answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and
things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly
and is prepared to help.
Source: The Council of Europe © Council of Europe

You might also like