Interlocutor
In speaking assessment, the interlocutor is the examiner who conducts the face-to-face interaction with the candidate. Because spoken language is co-constructed, the interlocutor's behaviour directly shapes the language the candidate produces — making the role central to test validity and reliability.
The Interlocutor Frame
The interlocutor frame is a scripted set of instructions, questions, and prompts that standardises what the examiner says during the test. Introduced by Cambridge ESOL in the early 1990s to ensure all candidates participate in essentially the same test event.
The frame controls:
- Exact wording of questions and instructions
- Timing of each test phase
- Follow-up prompt protocols
- Topic selection procedures
IELTS Speaking Test
IELTS uses a single-examiner model — the same person acts as both interlocutor and assessor across three parts:
| Part | Format | Interlocutor role |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Interview questions | Asks scripted questions on familiar topics |
| Part 2 | Long turn (cue card) | Hands card, manages timing, asks rounding-off question |
| Part 3 | Discussion | Asks scripted questions, may paraphrase for clarification |
Research (O'Sullivan & Lu, 2006) found that minor examiner deviations from the frame in Parts 1-2 had negligible impact on candidate language, though Part 3 showed more variation due to the discussion format.
Examiner vs Interlocutor vs Assessor
Some test systems (e.g., Cambridge C1 Advanced) split the roles:
- Interlocutor — manages the interaction but does not score
- Assessor — observes silently and rates performance
This separation reduces the cognitive load on each examiner and can improve scoring reliability. IELTS combines both roles in one person, relying on standardization training to maintain consistency.