CEFR CEFR - Common European Framework Spoken Interaction Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are "interaction strategies" in the CEFR framework?
- Grammar rules for conversation
- Techniques used to manage communication in spoken interaction (Correct answer)
- Methods to avoid speaking
- Vocabulary expansion techniques
Correct answer: Techniques used to manage communication in spoken interaction
Interaction strategies are techniques for managing real-time spoken communication.
Interaction strategies in CEFR include techniques for taking the floor, maintaining interaction, managing misunderstanding, and repairing communication. At higher levels, learners use these strategies fluently and naturally.
Question 2: At B1, which spoken interaction strategy does CEFR describe?
- Can only respond to questions, never initiate
- Can initiate and maintain simple conversations on familiar topics (Correct answer)
- Cannot manage any communication breakdowns
- Only speaks in memorized phrases
Correct answer: Can initiate and maintain simple conversations on familiar topics
B1 interaction includes initiating, maintaining, and ending simple conversations on familiar topics.
At B1, CEFR spoken interaction descriptors include the ability to initiate, maintain, and close simple face-to-face conversations on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Learners can also deal with some unexpected turns in conversation.
Question 3: What is "circumlocution" as an interaction strategy in CEFR?
- Interrupting the speaker
- Describing or paraphrasing when the exact word is not known (Correct answer)
- Speaking faster to fill pauses
- Using technical vocabulary
Correct answer: Describing or paraphrasing when the exact word is not known
Circumlocution means describing or paraphrasing to convey meaning when the exact word is unavailable.
Circumlocution is the strategy of describing or paraphrasing when the precise word is not available. CEFR describes this as a key compensation strategy at B1/B2, allowing learners to maintain communication despite vocabulary gaps.
Question 4: At C1, which spoken interaction ability does CEFR describe?
- Needs simple, slow speech from partners
- Interacts fluently and spontaneously, grasping implications and managing complex discourse (Correct answer)
- Can only handle one-to-one conversations
- Limited to formal discussions
Correct answer: Interacts fluently and spontaneously, grasping implications and managing complex discourse
C1 interaction is fluent and spontaneous - learners grasp implications and manage complex discourse.
At C1, CEFR spoken interaction descriptors describe the ability to interact with fluency and spontaneity, grasp implications and nuance, select appropriate register, and manage complex discourse without preparation. Learners can participate effectively in demanding discussions.
Question 5: What is "repair" in spoken interaction strategies according to CEFR?
- Correcting another speaker's grammar
- Strategies used to identify and fix communication breakdowns (Correct answer)
- Translating for another speaker
- Speaking more slowly
Correct answer: Strategies used to identify and fix communication breakdowns
Repair strategies are used to identify and fix communication breakdowns or misunderstandings.
Repair in spoken interaction refers to strategies used to identify and resolve communication breakdowns: asking for clarification, repeating, rephrasing, checking understanding, and inviting the other speaker to help. CEFR describes repair as an important B1+ strategy.
Question 6: At A2, what spoken interaction ability does CEFR describe?
- Full conversational fluency
- Can handle very short, simple social exchanges using basic formulaic language (Correct answer)
- Can debate complex topics
- Can manage all types of conversations
Correct answer: Can handle very short, simple social exchanges using basic formulaic language
A2 interaction is limited to very short, simple exchanges using basic formulaic language.
At A2, CEFR spoken interaction descriptors include the ability to handle very short social exchanges using formulaic language, though communication often breaks down when it moves beyond routine patterns. Learners can make simple requests and give simple responses.
What are "interaction strategies" in the CEFR framework?