Trinity College Exams in Spoken English

Trinity College exams are becoming increasingly popular among students who want to come away from our summer courses with a formal qualification. There are 12 different grades in the exam divided into 4 stages, and they begin at a very elementary level, so any students can pass the exam providing they are entered at the correct level for their English ability.

Our placement test is linked to the Trinity exam syllabus, so we can predict which grade you should enter for if you are unfamiliar with the exam, and the course books we use are also linked to the syllabus, so your normal classes will provide all the preparation you need if you decide to take the exam. We also provide one extra class per week for exam candidates; during these sessions we explain exactly what you will be expected to do during the exam.

Trinity exams are carried out by external examiners who have to be booked in advance, and we need a minimum number of candidates for an exam session, so it is important that you tell us as soon as possible if you are interested in taking the exam; we can then tell you if it will be possible, and what the cost will be.

Why should I take a Trinity College spoken English exam?

In the 21st century, a good level of spoken English will be an important part of any career progression and personal development. This is why many universities and employers are increasingly demanding evidence of spoken English skills.

Trinity's spoken English examinations have international validity. More than 30 British universities and colleges of Higher Education recognise Trinity Grade 10 in spoken English as the minimum level of spoken English needed to undertake undergraduate study successfully.

Trinity grades are aligned to the Council of Europe Framework for languages, a reliable reference to show that Trinity's examinations conform to international standards.

The 4 stages of the exam

The Initial Stage consists of a short conversation with the examiner. At each subsequent stage, more tasks are added (for example preparing a topic at Elementary Stage and taking part in an interactive task at Intermediate Stage) to reflect the reality of communicating effectively in English. By the time the learner reaches Advanced Stage, s/he should be very comfortable and proficient at using a wide range of language in most general and work and study specific contexts.