UK School System III

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Speaking about education

Objectives:

- Understanding CPE Speaking Test Part 3

- Practice

Part 3: CPE Speaking test 

Tests ability to: speak at length coherently, use language to develop a topic, describe, compare and contrast, hypothesise and comment.

Part 3 of the CPE Speaking test lasts about 10- 12 minutes including 2 minutes for each long turn and 4 minutes for the final discussion. Candidate A is passed a card and has to speak about the topic without interruption, either from the examiner or their partner. When Candidate A has finished the examiner asks Candidate B a brief question about the topic. The roles are then reversed: Candidate B is given a different card and speaks for 2 minutes followed by Candidate A who answers a brief question about the topic. At the end of the long turns both candidates participate in a discussion with the examiner about the theme of the two topics.

CPE Speaking test tips: Part 3

• Ensure you have a good, clear structure. Use discourse markers such as: to begin with, the first point is, secondly, another point/solution is, finally, in conclusion. 

• Use interesting vocabulary and idioms

• Include real examples and experiences as it will make your 2-minute talk more natural and interesting.  

Speaking assignment

1. Each student will receive a prompt card and takes 5 minutes to prepare a 2- minute speech in which you incorporate some interesting (technical, academic, unhackneyed, less mainstream) vocabulary. Add at least two words that you think the other student doesn't know. 
2. Student 1: Talks for two minutes uninterrupted
   
3.  Student 2: Takes notes: Tries to find out which special vocabulary student 1 has incorporated in his/her speech and  must try and guess the meaning of it.
   
4. Feedback time: Share your ideas. Were the words student 2 noted the intended words of student 1? How well were these words incorporated in the speech? Did it sound natural or forced? Were any discourse-markers used? Give tips on how to improve. 
5. Same procedure repeated for student 2.

Example

Prompt card: 

What is the impact of modern, technical devices in education?

• for students
• for teachers
• for schools

Prompt card student 1

What creates a positive learning environment?

• people
• resources
• mood

Prompt card student 2

What are the advantages and disadvantages of parents telling their children what to do?

• safety
• learning
• responsibility

www.online-stopwatch.com

Time to work on your test prep

Pick from

• exam vocabulary 
• Reading CAE part 7
• Study OP units 4 - 11, Grammar Folder 1 and 2