Glossary

CEFR

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — a six-level scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) used worldwide to describe language ability.

YapYapGo grades every speaking question by CEFR level so you can match prompts to your class. Filter by A2 to C1 in the session setup.

CEFR A2 — Elementary

Basic everyday language. Learners can handle short social exchanges, simple personal information, and predictable daily-life topics.

CEFR B1 — Intermediate

Independent users. Learners can hold a conversation on familiar topics, describe experiences and opinions, and deal with most travel situations.

CEFR B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Confident conversation across a wide range of topics, including abstract ideas. The minimum level usually expected for university study in English.

CEFR C1 — Advanced

Fluent and spontaneous. Learners can use language flexibly for social, academic, and professional purposes with little obvious searching for words.

ESL

English as a Second Language — teaching English to learners living in an English-speaking country (for example, immigrants studying English in the UK).

EFL

English as a Foreign Language — teaching English to learners in a country where English is not the primary language (for example, Japanese students studying English in Japan).

ESL vs EFL

ESL learners are immersed in English outside class; EFL learners are not. EFL classes typically need more speaking practice because students rarely use English outside the room.

YapYapGo is built for both — the pairing model maximises talk time per student, which matters most for EFL contexts.

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System — a widely-used English proficiency test for university admission, immigration, and professional registration. The speaking module is a face-to-face interview lasting 11–14 minutes.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

Introduction and interview, 4–5 minutes. The examiner asks short questions about familiar topics: home, work, hobbies, daily routines.

IELTS Speaking Part 2

The long turn, 3–4 minutes. Candidates receive a cue card, get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes without interruption.

IELTS Speaking Part 3

Two-way discussion, 4–5 minutes. The examiner asks more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic, exploring ideas in depth.

Cue card

A printed prompt used in IELTS Speaking Part 2. It names a topic and lists 3–4 sub-points the candidate should cover during the long turn.

Speaking time per student

In a typical 60-minute language class, the average student speaks for around 2 minutes — most class time goes to the teacher or to listening. Pairing students multiplies talk time per student.

This is the core problem YapYapGo addresses: by running paired speaking on a shared screen, every student speaks for most of the lesson rather than waiting their turn.

TEFL

Teaching English as a Foreign Language — also the name of the most common entry-level teaching certificate (typically 120 hours).

TESOL

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — an umbrella term covering both ESL and EFL, and the name of a common teaching qualification.

Random pairing

Pairing students into groups by chance. Available in YapYapGo Free — fast to run and gives students practice talking to everyone in the class.

Level-matched pairing

Pairing students of similar ability so the conversation moves at the right pace for both partners. Available as part of Smart Pairing.

Stretch pairing

Pairing a stronger student with a slightly weaker one so the weaker student is stretched and the stronger one practises clarifying. A Premium Smart Pairing mode.

Mixed-ability pairing

Pairing across the full ability range so groups contain a mix of levels. Useful for collaborative tasks where stronger students support weaker ones.

Conflict avoidance rule

A pairing constraint that prevents specific students from being placed in the same group — for example, two students who do not work well together.

Set these up per class on the Classes page (Premium).