LANGUAGECERT Interlocutor Training
The LANGUAGECERT Young Learners ESOL suite of exams is designed for primary-school, non-native English language learners and is available at two levels: Fox (pre-A1) and Owl (A1). In these exams, teachers assess learners’ performance in both the written and spoken components, following LANGUAGECERT’s assessment guidelines.
This training focuses on the Speaking component and is intended for teachers acting as Interlocutors. It provides an overview of the exam format at both levels, along with practical guidance on how to prepare for, conduct, and assess the exams.
For guidance on the written component, please visit our Young Learners practice material resources page.
To conduct Young Learners ESOL Speaking exams, you must be an approved LANGUAGECERT Interlocutor. To gain approval, you need to record and submit two mock Speaking interviews: one for Young Learners and one for International ESOL.
To complete the training, follow the five steps below. Click on each step to see what it involves.
This training focuses on the Speaking component and is intended for teachers acting as Interlocutors. It provides an overview of the exam format at both levels, along with practical guidance on how to prepare for, conduct, and assess the exams.
For guidance on the written component, please visit our Young Learners practice material resources page.
To conduct Young Learners ESOL Speaking exams, you must be an approved LANGUAGECERT Interlocutor. To gain approval, you need to record and submit two mock Speaking interviews: one for Young Learners and one for International ESOL.
To complete the training, follow the five steps below. Click on each step to see what it involves.
Step 1: Familiarisation
Familiarise yourself with the Young Learners Speaking exam format by reviewing the core reference materials: the Handbook for Teachers, Grammar Syllabus, Vocabulary List, and Practice Papers. You can find all of these materials on our Young Learners practice material resources page.
We recommend reviewing at least one practice paper from both the Fox (pre-A1) and Owl (A1) levels to become familiar with the format and content of the Speaking exams.
Sample interviews for both Fox and Owl levels based on Practice Paper 1 are provided below.
Fox (Pre-A1) Sample Interview
Owl (A1) Sample Interview
Step 2: Guide for Interlocutors
Study the LANGUAGECERT Young Learners ESOL Speaking section (Section 8) in the Guide for Interlocutors. This section provides detailed guidance on conducting the Speaking exams.
You can download the guide here.
Step 3: Training Presentation (approx. 1 hour)
Watch the Interlocutor Training presentation below. Have Practice Paper 1 for both Fox (pre-A1) and Owl (A1) levels available while viewing.
Step 4: Training Quiz (approx. 15 minutes)
Complete the Young Learners Interlocutor Training Quiz. You can find all the information needed to answer the questions in the Guide for Interlocutors.
Take the quiz here.
Please use the same email address you provided in your application, as this will be used to identify your responses.
Step 5: Mock Speaking Interviews
Record and submit two mock Speaking interviews: one for Young Learners and one for IESOL. These will be used to assess your performance as an Interlocutor. For Young Learners, we recommend submitting an Owl interview. For IESOL, please select the level you expect to deliver most often at your test centre.
Young Learners (Fox or Owl)
Follow the steps below when preparing and recording your Young Learners mock interview:
- Choose a volunteer to role-play the candidate. Select someone at or just above the level you plan to examine to make the interview more realistic. Their performance will not be assessed.
- Download a Young Learners Speaking practice paper and familiarise yourself with the Interlocutor script.
- Set up your exam space with the practice paper and a timer, and check that your recording device is working properly.
- Practise the interview with your volunteer before recording. Do not give your volunteer a script to read from, as this makes the interaction unnatural and prevents you from showing your full range of skills.
- Record the full mock interview using any suitable device (mobile phones are acceptable).
- Listen back to the recording. If you are not satisfied with the interview or the audio quality, record it again.
- Submit your recording as a single audio file containing all parts of the Speaking exam, in one of the following formats: .mp3, .m4a, or .wma.
- Email your audio file to interlocutors@peoplecert.org, including the level and practice paper used (e.g. Owl, Practice Paper 1) in the subject line or body of your email.
International ESOL
Please also record and submit a mock IESOL Speaking interview, following the same process outlined above.
Next Steps
After you submit your two recordings – one for Young Learners and one for IESOL – you will receive a feedback form by email within five working days.
‘Up to Standard’ recordings
If both recordings meet the required standard, you will receive your Approved Interlocutor Certificate along with an automated link to register your credentials on the LANGUAGECERT Exams platform.
‘Below Standard’ recordings
If either recording does not meet the required standard, you will be asked to submit a new recording for that level, taking into account the feedback provided.
Please note that only Interlocutors who have successfully completed their training are permitted to conduct exams.