Paper 4 Speaking - Part 3

Tips Galore!

1. Be prepared to ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simply stating your own. For example:

'What do you think?'

'How about you?'

'Do you think ...?'

2. Listen carefully' to what your partner says and respond to comments he or she makes to help the discussion flow. For example:

'Do/Have/Are you?'

'Don't/Haven't/Aren't you?'

'Do you think so?

'Really?'

3. If you disagree try expressing this politely. For example:

'I see what you mean but ...'

'I can see your point but ...'

'But don't you think ...'

4. Use expressions to allow yourself time to think. For example:

'That's a good question.'

'Well, let me think ...'

'It's difficult to say ...'

5. You'll possibly find you don't understand something your partner has said. If this happens, take control with simple questions like those below to help you deal positively with the situation. 

A) If you didn't quite understand a word or phrase just say something like:

"Sorry but could you explain what you mean by ........" or

"I haven't come across that word/expression before. Could you explain what you mean?"

B) If you didn't hear or didn't understand something your partner has said, ask them to repeat it:

"Sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you say that again?"

"Excuse me. Could you repeat that?"

C) Alternatively, you might want to confirm what you think your partner said so you could say something like:

"Do you mean ........"

"When you say ........, are you asking/do you mean ........?"

Paper 4 - Speaking

Part 1 is intended to break the ice, test your ability to interact with the examiner and use general social language. 
You will be asked questions about yourself, your family, your home, leisure activities, likes and dislikes, your education. Questions may be about your past experiences and your future plans. 

It is important to listen carefully and give clear, direct answers. Where possible include a few extra details or reason for your answer.
Take the opportunity to show how fluently you can speak. 
Don´t prepare answers beforehand but make sure you know the vocabulary necessary to talk about the topics.

Let´s have a look at these candidates.
What is your opinion? How well have they done?



Now watch Part 1 in the following video.
How would you mark them? 
Do you think they´ve done a good job?
Leave your comments.