2. Speaking reference
Steps to speaking success:
Build your confidence
Listen to English
Learn useful vocabulary and
phrases
3. Speaking reference
Speaking in an exam:
Tips:
Speak clearly: not too quietly or too fast
Use simple sentences and ideas
Do not repeat the same expressions too often
If you make an error, stay calm: quickly correct yourself
and carry on
Learn phrases which you can use automatically in
different situations
Repeat what the other person has said if you need
time to think.
Do not worry if you do not know the exact translation
of a phrase or word. Think of an alternative, simpler
way of expression yourself in English.
4. Speaking reference
An interview:
Tips:
Berfore the interview:
Prepare and practise answers to common interview
questions (in next slide)
During the interview
Listen carefully to the questions. Do not worry if you do not
understand every word: try to pick out the most important
words.
Do not be afraid to ask for repetition or clarification of the
questions
Answer with full sentences
If possible, repeat part of the question in your answer. This
will give you more time to think
Give reasons for your anwers
Talk about your likes and dislikes, if relevant
5. Speaking reference
Common interview questions:
What’s your name?
What´s your surname?
Can you spell your surname?
Where do you live?
Where were you born?
How long have you lived in this area?
What do you think of this area?
How far do you have to travel to school?
6. Speaking reference
Common Interview Questions (cont.)
How long have you been studying English?
What is difficult about learning English?
What’s your family like?
What do you do in your free time?
What did you do last weekend?
What do you do when you’re with your friends?
What are your favourite subjects?
Have you ever been abroad?
Have you got any plans for the summer?
What would you like to do when youj leave school?
Have you thought about a career?
Would you like to go to university?
7. Speaking refernce
Clarifying and asking for repetition. Useful
expressions:
I’m not sure what you mean.
What exactly do you mean by…?
Do you want me to …?
Do you mean…?
Sorry?
Pardon?
Could you say that again, please?
Could you repeat that, please?
Sorry, I didn’t hear you. Would you mind
repeating?
8. Speaking reference
Gaining time to think. Useful expressions:
Well, let me think…
That’s an interesting question. I suppose…
I’ve never thought about that before. Let me
see…
I’ll have to think about that a minute
9. Speaking reference
Likes and dislikes. Useful expressions:
I love/really like…
I can’t stand/hate…
I don’t mind…
It’s great/terrible when…
10. Speaking reference
Describing a photo:
Tips:
Start by describing the basic elements, even if they
seem obvious. Include your impressions of the photo.
Next, describe the details.
If you cannot think of what to say, remember to ask
yourself: who? Where? What? How? Why?
Memorize some useful expressions for describing what
you can see.
If you do not know the precise name of something in
the photo, think of an alternative way of describing it.
Use modal verbs to express possibilities.
11. Speaking reference
Describing the basic elements:
This is a photo of a/some…
In this photo we can see…
The first thing that strikes me in this photo is
the/that…
Describing what you can see:
The picture shows…/You can see…
There’s/There are
There seems to be (a)…
In the foreground/background there’s/there
are…
I don’t know what it’s called, but there’s an
object/person that looks like…
12. Speaking reference
Describing impressions:
The photo is very colourful.
There is a lot going on/happening in this photo
She looks…
He’s got a … face
He seems…
It seems/It looks as if…
It seems/It looks as though …
It seems/It looks like…
You can see/tell/guess that…
From their expressions, I’d say that…
13. Speaking reference
Remember to explain:
Who is in the photo?
Where are they?
What are they doing?
How do you think they feel?
Why do you think they are in this situation?
14. Speaking reference
Identifying people:
The people in the picture are…
The girl in red is…
One/Both/Neither of them…
The man in blue is…
The person on the left/right/in the centre…
16. Speaking reference
Expressing possibility:
It looks as if…
Maybe/Perhaps they’re…
They seem to be…
She’s/He’s probably…
He/She must be…
He/She might be/could be…
They’re definitely…
17. Speaking reference
Giving examples:
For example, …
For instance, …
She probably … for things like …
We need…for a lot of things such as…
18. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Tips:
Start by expressing your interest in the theme.
Consider the theme from as many different points of
view as possible.
Give your own opinions and explain them.
Add extra points where possible.
If possible, connect the theme to your personal
experiences.
19. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Expressing interest in the theme:
This is a very interesting topic because...
This topic is very important because…
In today’s world, the issue of …is very relevant.
20. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Considering different points of view:
On the one hand/on the other hand…
Sometimes, however…
From the point of view of…
If you consider…, you’ll notice that….
Although…is true, we should also consider…
21. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Discussing advantages and disadvantages:
One advantage / disadvantage is that…
On the positive/negative side…
On the one hand…/on the other hand…
It’s also good/bad if… because…
Another important thing (to think about) is…
22. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Giving opinions:
I think/believe that…
It seems to me that…
For me, …
I (definitely) (don’t) think/feel that…
I (completely) disagree with the idea that…
I agree (strongly) that…
I must say that…
23. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Comparing things:
It isn’t…. Enough
It’s (a bit) too…
It is/it isn’t as … as…
The situation is a bit/much more/much less…than…
24. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Using modifiers:
That’s really/totally…
I think that he was quite…
It’s a bit/a little…
That isn’t very…
It isn’t exactly…
25. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Senses:
It feels/tastes/smells good.
That sounds / looks / seems interesting
It smells / feels / tastes like…
It sounds / looks like someone is….
26. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Adding points:
I also think…
Another important thing to remember is…
What’s more, …
But we shouldn’t forget…
27. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Emphasis:
I just don’t know…
They’re such (a)
He’s so…
I’m even…
I can’t even…
28. Speaking reference
Discussing the theme:
Personal experiences:
In my experience,…
I’ve experienced this issue personally…
I have some personal experience with this topic…
I’m particularly interested in this topic because of my
own experiences…
29. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Tips:
Read the task carefully and make sure that you both
understand it
Decide on an order for carrying out the task
Take turns in speaking
Ask your partner’s opinion and give him/her time to
answer. Do not interrupt.
Listen carefully to your partner’s ideas, but do not be
afraid to disagree with them.
Be polite about your partner’s ideas, but do not be
afraid to disagree with them.
Make sure that you complete the task.
30. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Deciding on an order:
So, first of all we need to…
What next?
What about the…?
Don’t we have to…?
We also need to…
So, we’ve decided to…
31. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Asking for opinions:
What do you think about…?
I think is/it isn’t
And you?
What about you?
Do you agree?
Why do you think that?
What makes you think that?
32. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Reacting to your partner’s ideas:
I agree with you.
I’d agree with that.
I think you are right.
I think that’s a great idea.
I’m not (so) sure about that.
Maybe, but I also think that…
I totally disagree with you.
Really?
Me too/Me neither
I’m the same/different
That’s interesting/true
That doesn’t make much sense.
That’s crazy!
33. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Being polite:
I understand your point of view, but have you
thought of…?
You are right about that, but what about…?
I don’t entirely agree with you on that point.
You may be right, but have you considered…?
34. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Tips:
Read the task carefully and make sure that you both
understand it
Decide on an order for carrying out the task
Take turns in speaking
Ask your partner’s opinion and give him/her time to
answer. Do not interrupt.
Listen carefully to your partner and react to their
ideas
Be polite about your partner’s ideas, but do not be
afraid to disagree with them
Make sure that you complete the task
35. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Deciding on an order:
So first of all we need to…
What next?
What about the…?
Don’t we have to …?
We also need to…
So, we’ve decided to…
36. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Asking for opinions:
What do you think about…?
I think it is/it isn’t…
And you?
What about you?
Do you agree?
Why do you think that?
What makes you think that?
37. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Reacting to your partner’s ideas:
I agree with you
I’d agree with that
I think you’re right
I think that’s a great idea
I’m not (so) sure about that
Maybe, but I also think that…
I totally disagree with you
Really?
Me too/Me neither
I’m the same/different
That’s interesting/true
That doesn’t make much sense
That’s crazy
38. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Being polite
I understand your point of view, but have you
thought of…?
You are right about that, but what about…?
I don’t entirely agree with you on that point.
You may be right, but have you considered…?
39. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Invitations and preferences
Would you like to…?
Do you want to…?
How about…?
I’d like/prefer (to)…
I’d rather…
We’ll see
40. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Making arrangements
Have you got any plans for…?
I was thinking of…?
What are you thinking of….?
What about…?
Sounds Ok/good/great!
Great idea!
41. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Expressing preferences:
I’d prefer to…
I’d rather (not)…
I’d like to…
42. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Asking for advice:
Should I …?
Shall I…?
What would you do if…?
What if…?
43. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Giving suggestions and advice
How/what about (+ -ing)…?
We/you could…
Shall we…?
Let’s…
Have you tried…?
Why don’t we/you…?
If I were you, I’d…
Couldn’t you…?
Why don’t you…’
45. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Talking about the past:
Have you ever…?
What did you think of…?
I had a good/bad time…
46. Speaking reference
Speaking with a partner:
Possibility and certainty: short answers
It depends
Yes, probably/maybe
I (don’t) think so
I wouldn’t like to say
Maybe I do/have/would
Absolutely!
I doubt it
Yes, certainly/definitely
No way!
