Speaking test Guide.

Types of tasks
These are the different possibilities you have in an oral exam.
Interview
Presentation (pictures, stories)
Negotiation (reaching a decision together)
Discussion/ opinions.
Examiners attitude.
In an international exam you have generally two examiners, one examiner is the one that is
going to interact with the students and give the task and ask questions. The other is just
assessing the performance of the students, he is taking notes on grammar, pronunciation,
coherence and fluency etc.
We have to remember that these are standardized tests so the examiners are not going to
interact in a personal way with you, they’re not going to laugh at your jokes and they’re not
going to make comments of any kind. They are not going to give you feedback on your
performance either.
What they are going to do is define the task and set the time available that you have for it . If
you take longer they’re going to cut you short, this has nothing to do with your performance
again.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE EVALUATED.

 DISCOURSE MANAGEMENT WHICH HAS TO DO WITH FLUENCY AND
COHERENCE, WITH USING THE RIGHT CONNECTORS AND KEEPING THE
CONVERSATION FLOWING.
 INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION, THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE ABILITY OF
INTERACTING WITH ANOTHER PERSON LISTENING, TO THE OTHERS
OPINIONS, INVITING THE OTHER PERSON TO SPEAK AND WAITING FOR
THE RIGHT TIME, SAYING NO IN A POLITE WAY , AND AGREEING IN A
POLITE WAY.
 GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY. THE WORDS THAT YOU USE THE
CONNECTORS THAT YOU USE, THE TENSES THAT YOU USE,
EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE AT THIS LEVEL YOU SHOULD BE
ABLE TO USE A WIDE RANGE OF STRUCTURES AND VOCABULARY.
 PRONUNCIATION.
 Possible topics.
Useful Phrases Part 2

Useful Phrases
Here are some useful phrases you can use for describing pictures.
The top picture shows...
The bottom picture shows...
In one photo there are...
In the other photo there are...
In the picture above it looks as if...
In the one below it looks like...
Both pictures show...
In both pictures there are...
There are... in both photographs.
This picture shows... but that one...
In one respect the pictures are quite similar because...
One difference between the pictures is that...
The biggest difference between them is that this one... but the other one...
This one looks more ... than that.
Doing ... isn't so ... as...
In my opinion...
I'd say that...
I think...
It seems to me...
My view is that...

Another thing that's different is...

Something else that's different is...
They're alike in another way, too.

Useful Phrases Part 3

LISTEN to your partner. Don't just wait for your turn to speak. Be interested in what they are
saying and politely agree or disagree. If you disagree, try to persuade them to change their
idea, but don't spend too long doing that.
Refer back to things you already said.
Say a couple of sentences then ask a question. Never answer your own questions!
Try to look at your speaking partner more than the paper.
Some students turn their chair a little bit - towards the other student. This helps them to
remember who they should talk to.
Moving to the Next Item
Shall we move onto [topic] now?
So what about [topic]?
I wonder if we can compare [current topic] to [new topic]?
What about this one? [pointing to topic]
What do you think about this idea?
How do you feel about that one?
We're running out of time, so let's move on.
We still need to discuss [topic].
Ah, that connects with the next topic.
[Topic] is pretty similar to the last one - maybe we can skip it for now?
Ending Your Turn
What do you think?
Don't you agree?
Do you have anything to say about that?
Do you have anything to add to that?
Did I forget anything?
Interrupting
Sorry to interrupt but...
Just a second...
Agreeing
Right.
Good point.
I fully agree.
I was just thinking that!
I was just going to say that!
That's just what I was thinking.
I couldn't agree more.
You're totally right.
Disagreeing (with reasons)
Maybe, but what about...?
I think it would be better to...
I'm not so keen on that.
I don't really agree with you there.
Weeeeeell maybe, but...
Yeah, but, the thing is...
The problem with what you said is...
For one thing...[reason 1] And for another... [reason 2]
Reaching a Decision
Well, I think it's definitely not [topic]
We can eliminate [topic] right away. Don't you think?
So then, what do you think is the best one?
I guess you think we should choose [topic]?
Are we both in favour of [topic]?
Okay, so we agree.
I don't think we're going to agree on this!
Let's agree to disagree!