English Developmental Continuum P-10 – Speaking & Listening

English Continuum Home | Reading | Speaking & Listening | Writing

Speaking and listening

Indicators of Progress in the Speaking and Listening domain are organised into four areas of knowledge.

  • Communicating Orally (Ability to Learn Oral Language) addresses the necessary skills and their prerequisites for the acquisition of oral language.
  • Purposes of Communication addresses the use of oral language within our social communications.
  • Conventions of Language addresses the rules governing the sounds, sentences and genres of oral language.
  • Ideas Communicated addresses the meanings of words, sentences, discourse and topics of language.

These areas of knowledge reflect the Language Support Program – Teaching and Learning for Students with a Language Disorder.

To view all information on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards go to the VCAA site - http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/

Jump to a level on this page:



Level Standards and Progression Points Indicator of Progress

0.5


At 0.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 1 demonstrates, for example:

  • purposeful communication about personal experiences to peers and known adults
  • contribution of ideas to discussions
  • asking of simple questions in response to information presented by others
  • appropriate sequencing of a small number of ideas when speaking to others in familiar contexts
  • understanding of simple oral classroom instructions

 

 



1.0 Standard

At Level 1, students use spoken language appropriately in a variety of classroom contexts. They ask and answer simple questions for information and clarification, contribute relevant ideas during class or group discussion, and follow simple instructions.

They listen to and produce brief spoken texts that deal with familiar ideas and information. They sequence main events and ideas coherently in speech, and speak at an appropriate volume and pace for listeners’ needs. They self-correct by rephrasing a statement or question when meaning is not clear.

 



1.25


At 1.25, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 2 demonstrates, for example:

  • recount and description of familiar personal experiences when participating in discussions
  • turn-taking during group discussion
  • application of listening skills to a range of conversations and other spoken texts
  • appropriate responses to what others say




1.5


At 1.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 2 demonstrates, for example:

  • recounts and descriptions of familiar experiences in logical sequence
  • communication with others in small group situations
  • clear speech with simple phrases and sentences, and appropriate vocabulary
  • application of listening skills to a range of conversations, discussions and spoken texts; about real or imagined events
  • recall of what others say and answers to questions about details of what has been said

  • Speaking and Listening videos at level 1.5




1.75


At 1.75, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 2 demonstrates, for example:

  • appropriate comments and questions in group activities
  • organisation of spoken texts, including features to signal when beginning to speak and when finishing
  • modification of tone and pace of speaking when communicating with others
  • responses, after application of listening skills, to conversations and texts about real and imaginary experiences
  • retelling of some main ideas after listening to stories and viewing videos




2.0 Standard

At Level 2, students listen to and produce spoken texts that deal with familiar ideas and information. They demonstrate, usually in informal situations, that they are able to speak clearly using simple utterances and basic vocabulary. They organise spoken texts using simple features to signal beginnings and endings. They vary volume and intonation patterns to add emphasis. They contribute to group activities by making relevant comments and asking clarifying questions to facilitate communication. After listening to short live or recorded presentations, they recall some of the main ideas and information presented. They listen to others and respond appropriately to what has been said.

 




2.25


At 2.25, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 3 demonstrates, for example:

  • familiar ideas and information for specified audiences and purposes in spoken texts
  • clear speech in informal and classroom situations
  • contribution of relevant ideas to discussions and asking of questions to clarify meaning
  • retelling of some main ideas and information from texts read and viewed in class
  • attentive listening to others in individual and group contexts




2.5


At 2.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 3 demonstrates, for example:

  • participation for extended periods in small group situations
  • adjustments of tone, volume and pace of their speech in order to communicate clearly
  • rephrasing of spoken texts to clarify meaning when questioned by listeners
  • comprehension by retelling what they heard, including identification of key points
  • appropriate responses to what others say in individual and group contexts





2.75


At 2.75, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 3 demonstrates, for example:

  • preparation and delivery of short explanations and reports to peers on topics of interest
  • communication of relevant information and responses to questions when speaking to others in a range of familiar contexts
  • modification of spoken texts to clarify meaning and react to audience feedback
  • attentive listening to spoken texts, and accurate retelling of key information




3.0 Standard

At Level 3, students vary their speaking and listening for a small range of contexts, purposes and audiences. They project their voice adequately for an audience, use appropriate spoken language features, and modify spoken texts to clarify meaning and information.

They listen attentively to spoken texts, including factual texts, and identify the topic, retell information accurately, ask clarifying questions, volunteer information and justify opinions.



3.25


At 3.25, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 4 demonstrates, for example:

  • awareness of purpose and audience in short presentations
  • active contribution to the preparation and presentation of performances when working with small groups
  • relevant questioning to clarify meaning of others’ presentations
  • attentive listening to a range of spoken texts, live and recorded, about familiar ideas and information




3.5


At 3.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 4 demonstrates, for example:

  • consideration of purpose and audience in preparation of presentations
  • variation in tone, volume, and pace of speech to add emphasis
  • use of multimedia to enhance meaning when communicating ideas and information to others
  • attentive listening and appropriate responses to spoken and multimodal texts that include unfamiliar ideas and information

 

 



3.75


At 3.75, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 4 demonstrates, for example:

  • rehearsal of presentations, with attention to variation of pace, volume, pitch and pronunciation to enhance meaning
  • constructive responses to verbal and non-verbal audience feedback; for example, by rephrasing for clarification
  • identification of main ideas and some supporting details in spoken and multimodal texts
  • summary of main ideas after listening to others’ presentations




4.0 Standard

At Level 4, students plan, rehearse and make presentations for different purposes. They sustain a point of view and provide succinct accounts of personal experiences or events. They adjust their speaking to take account of context, purpose and audience, and vary tone, volume and pace of speech to create or emphasise meaning.

When listening to spoken texts, they identify the main idea and supporting details and summarise them for others. They identify opinions offered by others, propose other relevant viewpoints and extend ideas in a constructive manner.

 

4.25


At 4.25, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 5 demonstrates, for example:

  • use of some multimodal texts to support meaning in presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences
  • understanding of features of effective oral communication and use of these understandings in evaluating others’ presentations
  • a range of oral responses to texts, themes and issues
  • responsive listening to a range of spoken texts, including small group discussions that deal with common themes of interest


4.5


At 4.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 5 demonstrates, for example:

  • use of detail and supporting evidence when speaking about their own opinions and ideas
  • use of introductions, conclusions and visual support materials appropriate to the purpose, audience and context
  • awareness of the needs and interests of the audience in development of their own spoken texts
  • questioning that clarifies and builds on ideas presented by others
  • inclusion of main ideas when taking notes from others’ presentations


 

4.75


At 4.75, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 5 demonstrates, for example:

  • selection of appropriate features of spoken language to shape a text for a specific audience and purpose
  • use of a range of strategies to influence audiences; for example, imagery, humour, anecdotes or emotive language
  • development of a range of spoken texts that deal with challenging ideas and issues, including informative, imaginative and persuasive texts
  • use of supporting evidence for their own opinions about others’ presentations
  • use of graphic organisers to assist with note-taking and summaries of key ideas from spoken texts


5.0 Standard

At Level 5, students express creative and analytical responses to texts, themes and issues. They identify main issues in a topic and provide supporting detail and evidence for opinions. They critically evaluate the spoken language of others and select, prepare and present spoken texts for specific audiences and purposes. They use a variety of multimodal texts to support individual presentations in which they inform or persuade an audience.

When listening to others, students ask clarifying questions and build on the ideas of others. They identify key ideas and take notes. They show an awareness of the influence of audience on the construction and presentation of spoken texts, and of how situational and sociocultural factors affect audience responses.


5.25


At 5.25, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 6 demonstrates, for example:

  • presentation of a range of spoken text types; for example, anecdotes, reports, speeches, debates
  • contributions to discussions with peers to compare ideas, express opinions and develop conclusions about themes and issues
  • analysis of relationships between texts, contexts, speakers and listeners
  • effective use of features of spoken language to influence specific audiences
  • identification of criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of spoken presentations




5.5


At 5.5, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 6 demonstrates, for example:

  • use of evidence to justify and support opinions
  • critical analysis of the relationship between spoken texts, contexts, speakers and listeners
  • selection of persuasive language and non-verbal techniques to influence specific audiences
  • responsive listening to a range of spoken texts dealing with complex subject matter

 




5.75


At 5.75, the work of a student progressing towards the standard at Level 6 demonstrates, for example:

  • comparison and contrast of the use of language and multimedia in spoken texts in different contexts
  • identification of key ideas and information in order to develop responses to spoken texts
  • presentation of coherent arguments for particular points of view using evidence to systematically support the point of view
  • critical responses to a range of spoken texts dealing with complex subject matter




6.0 Standard

At Level 6, students analyse critically the relationship between texts, contexts, speakers and listeners in a range of situations. When engaged in discussion, they compare ideas, build on others’ ideas, provide and justify other points of view, and reach conclusions that take account of aspects of an issue. In their presentations, they make effective use of the structures and features of spoken language to deal with complex subject matter in a range of situations.

They draw on a range of strategies to listen to and present spoken texts, including note-taking, combining spoken and visual texts, and presenting complex issues or information imaginatively to interest an audience.