Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta speaking. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta speaking. Mostrar todas las entradas

4 dic 2019

SPEAKING EXAM

Let's start with a speaking post. Click on the following link to download the copies I showed you in class.



Here's another summary of the aspects you should cover in your description:

This is a useful presentation including the vocabulary you can use in the speaking test divided into several topics. Have a look at it:


And finally, some sample materials for the speaking test. You can use them to practise at home:)

Unit 3 sample

Unit 1 sample


Unit 4


7 may 2019

FCE SPEAKING. PART 4. USEFUL MATERIALS

Today I'm back with a bunch of useful links for FCE speaking. They are particularly focused on part 4. I hope you find them useful :)

The exam explained...

Some useful sentences... [click on the link to be directed to the original source]

BUYING TIME

I've never really thought about that, but...
What a good question!
That's a good question.
That's an interesting question.
Oh! Let me think. Well, ...

GIVING YOUR OPINION

What I think is that...
In my opinion, ...
It's clear to me that...
One thing I'm sure of is...
I might be wrong but ...
I'm no expert but...

GIVING REASONS FOR YOUR OPINIONS

... because ....
... so it's obvious that...
... That means...

ADDING REASONS

Another thing is...
Apart from that, ...
As well as that, ...
Just as importantly, ...
There's also the fact that...
And don't forget...

ASKING YOUR SPEAKING PARTNER

What do you think, Jack?
Don't you agree?
Do you have anything to say about that?
Jack, do you have anything to add to that?
Did I forget anything?

INTERRUPTING POLITELY

Do you mind if I add something?
I'd like to comment on that.
If I could just make a point.
TRYING TO CHANGE AN OPINION
But don't you think that...
Yes, but isn't it true that...
Okay, but on the other hand...
Maybe there's another way to think about it.
You're partly right, but...


A real exam...





Some sample questions asked in part 4


17 feb 2019

Some useful speaking tips


Some of you might be wondering...

Resultado de imagen de working on a sunday meme
[source of the image: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiksI60tcPgAhVNLBoKHZGFAZYQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsayingimages.com%2Fsunday-meme%2F&psig=AOvVaw1M8gex1H12muF2vIMhWcwE&ust=1550515165399416]

But, as it turns out, I luvvvv my job so it's no big deal. 

Today I found this wonderful ESL blog and thought that you could find these materials very useful for your next speaking test. You are welcome :)

Click on the link to be directed to the blog with plenty of pictures sorted out by topic. 

10 abr 2018

Speaking materials... @home practice






(source of the pictures: https://deesite.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/images-photos-et-questions-pour-la-partie-2-du-speaking-test-fce/)

More speaking materials...

When my students realise that the speaking exams are approaching, their smiles suddenly drop. They are like...

(sourse of the picture: https://www.buzzfeed.com/matwhitehead/cram-bam-thank-you-maam)

Some of them even confess having nightmares! I guess that is because they picture themselves in an unlikely exam-situation such as...


(source of the picture: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/425660602252666591/)

Don't you worry, my brave students, as some speaking-related posts are coming to save you!

Let's start with youtube videos showing how your speaking test (remember, FCE part 2) is nicely done!






3 abr 2018

Speaking time!

So the final term is already here (yay!).

Let's take a look at the second part of a B2's speaking test!

Examiner’s initial instructions
 
In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question about your partner’s photographs.
(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs. They show people who are helping other people in different situations.
(place the following pictures in front of Candidate A)
 
I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say how important it is to help people in these situations.

Candidate A’s response

(introduction) Both of these pictures show people getting some help; the first one shows a football player who seems to be injured and the second one is an Asian tourist getting help from a policeman.
(similarities + differences) Although both situations involve someone helping a person, they are very different. In the first one, the football player needs help because he’s had an injury and, probably, he can’t walk properly. On the other hand, in the second picture, the tourist is probably asking for directions because he might be lost. Also, the footballer is likely to be in pain, while the tourist may only be a little nervous.
(question) As for how important it is to help these people, I’d say it’s important in both situations. However, I strongly believe that the footballer needs more help than the tourist, as his situation is obviously more serious.

Examiner’s follow-up question for Candidate B

(Candidate B), do you find it easy to ask for help when you have a problem?

Candidate B’s response

Well, it depends on the problem, but normally I do. Whenever I have a serious problem I ask my mum or my dad for advice. It’s not easy, but I do it. With other problems, I always ask my friends first, because they normally know what to do.

4. Basic observations

If you read the task above carefully, you will notice the following features:
  • Candidate A is asked to compare two pictures and to answer a question about them.
  • The question the examiner includes in his explanation is also written above the pictures, so don’t worry about having to memorise it.
  • Candidate A will have to speak longer than Candidate B, that is, the person comparing speaks longer than the person answering the follow-up question.
  • Candidate A has clearly compared both pictures and answered the question.
  • The expressions in bold are useful words or phrases to use in any comparison.
  • Candidate A’s comparison follows a clear order: introduction + similarities, differences, question. Although this particular order is not compulsory, it is recommendable.