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Revision Section 1: Speaking
Speaking is the second of the four language skills. It is called a "productive" skill because when we speak we produce language going out :
- listening (← in)
- speaking (out →)
- reading (← in)
- writing (out →)
Formal versus informal speaking
Just like in your own language, the way you speak depends on who you are speaking to or with. Informal speaking situations include speaking with close friends, family workers and probably co-workers. Slang, idiom and relaxed pronunciation are more common in these situations. Small talk becomes less necessary when you are speaking with friends, but is considered polite in an informal situation with acquaintances. Sometimes your pace and volume shifts when you feel more comfortable. Formal situations require a different kind of language. Your speaking may even be rehearsed in some situations. You may feel nervous about saying everything properly. You must also consider manners and body language.
Verbal/non verbal:
10 Speaking tips
- Listen first. Try not to think about what you are going to say as you’re listening. Focus on listening, then focus on responding.be
- Make eye contact. It’s important to make eye contact when you’re listening and speaking. Even if you’re nervous, try not to look at the ground. If you’re doing a presentation, practise enough so that you don’t have to read every word from your notes. Visuals can help you in a presentation.
- Learn transitional phrases and useful expressions. You will keep your listeners’ attention if you know some key expressions that will make the conversation flow.
- Use gestures appropriately. If you’re in a foreign country, take time to learn about body language. Some gestures in your country may mean something different in another country.
- Relax. You don’t have to speak perfectly. Many native English speakers are also nervous when they have to speak out loud in a group or with people that they don’t know. Try not to show that you are nervous.
- Don’t say sorry. If you apologize for your English, people will expect it to be poor. Believe that you are a strong English speaker, and your listeners will believe it too. If you make a mistake, simply keep talking or correct yourself.
- Be yourself. Let your personality out! People will enjoy speaking with you because of who you are, not because of the language you speak.
- Keep it simple. As with writing it is important to speak in the simplest way you can. Don’t try to impress people with your large vocabulary. Use words and expressions that you are confident using.
- Pause and pace. Try not to speak too quickly, which may make it difficult for people to understand you. Listen to English speakers often to hear where natural pauses occur.
- Practise pronunciation , including word stress. One of the most important aspects of understanding each other’s spoken English is through the natural rhythm of our words and sentences. Native English speakers don’t think about word stress. They just speak. People who learn English as an additional language need to listen to English often in order to be able to use natural word stress.
When people don’t understand you
Recognize why people don’t understand you. First figure out which barriers are preventing other people from understanding you. Next, reduce or eliminate the barriers that you have control over. For example:
You spoke too fast. You spoke in a monotone voice (boring). You used vocabulary or idioms incorrectly. You assumed people had previous knowledge of your subject. Your accent is very strong.
- Expressing your ideas by leaving comments.
Use of opinion adjectives to leave comments e.g. It’s awesome!
Part 1: GENERAL QUESTIONS
- Where are you from?
- What’s your favourite book?
- Do you belong to a club?
- Are you interested in books?
- Do you play any sports? (if yes, what is this, tell me about it)
- Are you good at maths?
- Do you ride a bike to class?
- Are you interested in history? (Why/why not?)
- Do you think playing dangerous sport is one of someone’s hobby? 10.Is it important for anyone to have hobby?
PART 2: CONVERSATIONS
CARD 1A| SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY
You are about to have a conversation with a new classmate. Make up the situation in which you would ask him/her questions about his/her:
- Name
- Age
- Place of birth
- Family
- Hobby
- Others
[Language support: Remember to use “Giving short answer techniques” to keep your conversation going on.]
- Do you like your current school?
- What do you think of school’s facilities? 10.Does your school have a sport field?
CARD 2A| EDUCATION
You are about to have a conversation with your mother/father about your current new school. Make up the situation in which you and your mother/father discuss about what make your school good or bad.
You should talk about:
- School facilities
- School teachers
- Teachers’ teaching methods
- Your favorite teachers
- Your friends
- Others …. [Language support: Remember to use Asking opinions, giving opinion, agreeing/disagreeing opinion techniques”.]
Talk with your partner/s for at least 4 minutes if you are doing the exam in pairs, or for at least 5 minutes if it is a group of three candidates. Your production will be recorded.
CARD 2B| EDUCATION
You are going to leave high school and you have to choose a university to enroll. You make a phone call to have a conversation with a famous educational expert in your area about how to choose a good school.
Make up the situation in which you ask and answer about factors making bad/good school.
You should talk about:
- School ranking in the area/Vietnam
- Future career orientation (your career preference)
- Your strengths/weaknesses
- Others… [Language support: Remember to use “Giving short answer, techniques” to keep your conversation going on.]
Talk with your partner/s for at least 4 minutes if you are doing the exam in pairs, or for at least 5 minutes if it is a group of three candidates. Your production will be recorded.
Part 1: GENERAL QUESTIONS
- What kinds of food do you often eat?
- What’s organic food?
- Do you often eat organic food? Why/ Why not?
- Do you often eat out?
- What do you think about fast food?
- Some people rather cook than wash the dishes. How about you?
- What is an example of a food with a strong flavor?
- Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat?
- Do you avoid food with artificial ingredients? 10.Name three kinds of food that are very nutritious you often eat.
PART 1: GENERAL QUESTIONS
- What makes you fun?
- Do you like doing dangerous activities for fun?
- Why do you like going to the shopping mall?
- Are there any parks in your area?
- Do you like going to the park?
- What do you like to do on weekends?
- What do you hate to do?
- Can fun activities teach you something?
- Is it important to be with other people to have fun? 10.Do you think it’s fun to spend time in nature?
PART 2: CONVERSATION
CARD 4A! SOCIALOGY
You are going to make a presentation about “top five” fun places in your area with your partner. Discuss with each other for following ideas:
- Name of fun place and why is it a fun place?
- Share your friend’s ideas and their reasons. Agree or disagree with him/her.
- Give final best five places for your presentations.
- How to post on the poster/Power point slides.
[Language support: Remember to use {Giving/Agreeing/Disagreeing opinions to convey your meaning]
Listening
Part 1
Questions 1 – 5
You will hear five short conversations.
You will hear each conversation twice.
There is one question for each conversation.
For questions 1- 5, put a tick (V) under the right answer.
- How much did Sue pay for the shirt?
- What will do this afternoon?
- Where is the fish market?
- What will the woman eat with her coffee?
- Which man is Laura’s English teacher?
Part 3
Questions 11 – 15
Listen to woman phoning a furniture shop about a sofa.
For questions 11 – 15, circle A, B, C. You will hear the convesration twice.
Example
- The woman works in the shop in A. Market Square.
B. River Road. C. Bridge Street.
- The size of the sofa is A. 1 metre 85.
B. 1 metre 95. C. 2 metres.
- The only sofa in the shop is A. red
B. green C. black
- The sofa costs A. £ 590
B. £ 600 C. £ 635
- The driver can take the sofa on A. Monday
visiors to Emsworth B. Wednesday
C. Thursday
- The shop closes at A. 5.45.
B. 7.00. C. 7.15.
Part 4
Questions 16 – 20
You will hear a student telephoning about a job.
Listen and complete questions 16 – 20
You will hear the conversation twice.
Weekend job
At: Garden Hotel
Working in: 16.............................................
Money: 17.£.......................per hour.....
Go to hotel this afternoon:
Time: 18..............................................
Speak to: 19. ..Mrs....................................
Adress: South Road
Opposite: 20...............................................
You will hear five short conversations.
You will hear each conversation twice.
There is one question for each conversation.
For questions 1- 5, put a tick (V) under the right answer.
- What time will the party start?
- What is the weather like for Jack’s holiday?
- Which fruit does the woman buy?
- How will Tom go to school tomorrow?
- When will Rob have his next driving lesson?
Part 2
Questions 6 – 10
Listen to Sally talking to a friend about her holiday.
What activity did she do on each day?
For questions 6 – 10, write (A-H) next to to each person.
You will hear the convesration twice.
Example:
