FCE - Speaking PDF

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FCE – SPEAKING

THE SPEAKING PAPER: PART 1 Part Task type 1 Personal questions

Time 2 minutes

What you have to do Respond to questions from the interviewer with information about yourself.

Interview: Personal questions Part 1 gives you the opportunity to show your ability to use general social and interactional language and to give basic personal information about yourself. The questions which are asked relate to your own life and focus on areas such as work, leisure time and future plans. You are expected to respond to the interlocutor´s questions, and to listen to what your partner has to say. You are not actively invited to talk to each other in this part of the test, although you may if you wish. This short social exchange is a natural way to begin an interaction, and it gives you time to settle before dealing with the more specific tasks in Parts 2,3 and 4.

TASK: Watch these two students doing Part 1

EXAM STRATEGIES Relax and try to be yourself. This part of the test is to warm you up so don´t worry too much about making mistakes. Speak clearly so both the interlocutor (the one asking the questions) and the examiner can hear you. Answer in more than one word. It´s difficult to assess your range if you don´t say very much. Extend your answer. Compare these two answers to the question “Do you like going to the cinema? a. b.

“Yes, I do.” “Yes, I try to go once a week but it´s very expensive. I watch a lot of films on my computer now.”

THE SPEAKING PAPER: PART 2 Part 2

Task type Long turn

Time 4 minutes

What you have to do Talk about two photographs for one minute, and comment briefly on the other candidate´s photographs.

Long turn In Part 2, you are given the opportunity to speak for 1 minute without interruption. Each candidate is asked to compare two colour photographs, and to make a further comment about them in response to a task that is read out by the interlocutor. A prompt is given to the candidates in the form of direct question; this is written above the photographs. Candidates are expected to point out the similarities and differences between the photographs and then move on to deal with the question. The listening candidate is also asked to comment briefly (for about 20 seconds) after their partner´s long turn. They should not speak during their partner´s long turn.

TASK: Watch these two students doing Part 2

EXAM STRATEGIES Listen carefully to the task set by the interlocutor. Ask the examiner to repeat the instructions if you don´t understand. You will not lose any marks for doing this. Compare the photographs but don´t give detailed descriptions of them. Use comparative language e.g. “The people in this picture seem more relaxed.” Answer the question that is at the top of the photograph. Keep talking but don´t worry if the interlocutor stops you – you can only speak for a máximum of one minute.

THE SPEAKING PAPER: PART 3 Part 3

Task type Collaborative task

Time 4 minutes

What you have to do You are given a written prompt and have to speak with the other candidate about it in order to complete a task.

Collaborative task In Part 3, you are given oral instructions and provided with a written prompt in the style of a mind map to form the basis for a task which you carry out with a partner. You are expected to discuss each prompt, expressing and justifying your opinions. The interlocutor will then ask a question encouraging the candidates to reach a decision by agreeing or disagreeing. The instructions are in two parts. Now talk to each other about … Then after two minutes, a second task. Now you have a minute to decide …

TASK: Watch these two students doing Part 3

EXAM STRATEGIES Listen carefully to the tasks set by the interlocutor. There are always two tasks. The interlocutor will set the first task and may have to interrupt you to set the second task. Discuss all the content. You should discuss the content of the prompt as fully as posible and you shouldn´t worry if you don´t agree. It´s more important that you keep talking. Interact with each other. In contrast to the long turn, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to interact with your partner. That means making positive contributions, responding to each other by agreeing, disagreeing and questioning each other. Avoid the top error at First Certificate: “I am agree with you”. It should be “I agree with you”. Try to use a variety of agreeing phrases like “That´s true”, “That´s a good idea”, “I see what you mean”.

THE SPEAKING PAPER: PART 4 Part 4

Task type Discussion

Time 4 minutes

What you have to do Take part in a discussion which is related to the topic of Part 3.

Discussion In Part 4, the interlocutor directs the interaction by asking questions which encourage the candidates to broaden and discuss further the topics introduced in Part 3.

TASK: Watch these two students doing Part 4

EXAM STRATEGIES Listen carefully to the interlocutor´s questions. Ask them to repeat a question if you don´t understand. You will not lose any marks for doing this. Extend your answers by thinking about “Why?”, “How?”, “Where?”, “When?” For example, if you are asked, “Would you like to work abroad for a while?” You can say “YES” and give the reason why you would like to work abroad, where you would like to go and so on. Involve and respond to your partner. You might be asked an individual question but you can choose to involve and respond to your partner. Interacting with your partner at this stage is also likely to produce more language. What if I say something stupid? There is no right or wrong answer to any of the questions and you will not be judged on your opinions.

THE SPEAKING PAPER: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

YOUR TURN! TASK: You are now going to practise giving and doing the speaking test with a partner. You will get the opportunity to be student and examiner. When you are roleplaying the examiner, take notes in order to give positive feedback to your colleagues.

THE SPEAKING PAPER: STRATEGIES DO

familiarise yourself with the focus, function and procedures of all parts of the test.

DO

take every opportunity to practise your English in groups or pairs, both inside and outside the classroom before the test. listen carefully to instructions given and questions asked throughout the test and focus your answers appropriately. ask for repetition of instructions if you are nuclear about what you should do. speak clearly so that both the assessor and the interlocutor can hear you.

DO DO DO DO DO DO

refer to the written direct questions at the top of your task in Parts 2 and 3 of the test so that you don´t forget what you have to talk about. respond to your partner´s contributions and invite your partner to contribute in Parts 3 and 4.

DON´T DON´T

make use of opportunities to speak in all parts of the test and give extended contributions where you can. prepare long responses in advance. You are unlikely to answer questions appropriately. try to give your views during your partner´s long turn.

DON´T DON´T

try to dominate your partner or to interrupt him or her in an abrupt way. make frequent pauses and hesitations during the interaction or during your own turn.

DON´T DON´T

worry if you disagree with your partner in Parts 3 and 4. As long as you are polite and not overbearing, this is all part of interactive communication. worry about being interrupted by the examiner....