EOI A DISTANCIA

2020-2021
B2 STARTER UNIT

SPEAKING STRATEGIES

• Listen to your classmate

If you can throw in a phrase such as

‘Like MARÍA, I also live ….’,

‘As my classmate has already said ….’,

• Make sure you understand the question

If you don’t, it’s better to ask the interlocutor to repeat the question

‘Would you mind repeating the

question please?’
“Sorry, can you repeat, please”

‘I didn’t quite catch that last part,

could you repeat for me please?’

than to struggle on hoping you are answering what was asked (only
if you need to)
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2020-2021
B2 STARTER UNIT

COMMUNICATIVE TIPS
1. When you don’t know an exact word
If you don’t know or can’t remember an exact word – don’t worry! There
are lots of things you can do to communicate without saying the exact
word. These are very useful strategies that even native speakers use.

General words

TIP If you can’t remember the word ‘surgeon’, you could say a more general
word like ‘doctor’.
Examples
If you don’t know the word ‘cutlery’, you could give examples such as ‘knife,
fork and spoon’.

Relative clauses to give a description

TIP (It’s a person who ... / thing that ... / place where ... )
If you don’t know the word ‘briefcase’, you could say ‘It’s a thing that people
use to carry papers to work’.

Describe the purpose or function (It’s used to + infinitive /

for + -ing)

TIP If you don’t know the word ‘scissors’, you could say ‘They are used to cut
paper’ or ‘They are used for cutting paper’.
This strategy works well with objects that have a clear use or function.

Synonyms (words that mean the same)

TIP If you don’t know the word ‘tiny’, you could say ‘very small’.
This strategy works well with nouns and adjectives.

Antonyms (opposite words)

TIP If you don’t know the word ‘weak’, you could say ‘not strong’.
This strategy works well with adjectives.
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B2 STARTER UNIT

Approximations (It’s a kind of ... / It’s a sort of ...)

TIP If you don’t know the word ‘bungalow’, you could say ‘It’s a kind of house’
or ‘It’s a sort of house’.

2. Opinions
Here are some expressions you can use to give your opinion and ask for
your partner’s opinion. You will need to use these expressions in a
discussion activity.

Giving your opinion

I think... / I don’t think ...
I believe... / I don’t believe ...
In my opinion,
For me,
Personally, I think ...

Asking for someone’s opinion

Do you agree?
What do you think?
What do you think about ... (this)?
Do you think that’s right?
What’s your view?
Are you OK with that?
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2020-2021
B2 STARTER UNIT

3. Agreeing and disagreeing

Here are some expressions you can use to agree and disagree. You will need
to use these expressions in a discussion activity.

DO DON’T

• Think about your opinion before • Only give your own opinion
the discussion starts. but also respond to your
• Say what you really think about the partner.
topic and explain why you think
that. • Worry if you don't agree
• Listen to what your partner says with your partner. That's
and say if you agree or disagree.
fine!
• Make sure you know the language
for agreeing and disagreeing. • Talk about things that are
• Be polite if you disagree.
not relevant to the topic.
• Ask your partner what he/she
thinks. • Let the discussion stop.
• Use every second you are given to
Keep it going!
do the task.
• Finish the discussion by
summarising what you have spoken
about.

Agreeing
That’s right!
Absolutely!
Exactly!
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B2 STARTER UNIT

Me too!
Yes, I agree!
I totally agree!
I couldn’t agree more!
I see exactly what you mean!
You're right. That's a good point.

Disagreeing
I don’t agree!
I totally disagree!
Absolutely not!
That’s not right!
I’m not sure about that.

Partly agreeing
I agree up to a point, but ...
I see your point, but ...
That’s partly true, but ...
I'm not so sure about that.

It is always a good idea to justify your opinions. Don’t just say ‘I agree’, but
say ‘I agree because I think that ... (explain your reason).’

4. Showing interest
It is very important to show that you are interested in what your partner is
saying. Use these expressions to show you are interested. Remember!
When we are very interested or surprised our voice is higher and louder.

Normal response
Uh-huh.
That’s interesting.
Oh, I see.
Right.
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B2 STARTER UNIT

Stronger response
Really?
Wow! That’s amazing!
That’s incredible!
No way!
You’re joking!

Do you understand?
When you are speaking to someone it is important that you understand
each other. If you don’t understand something, ask your partner to explain
what they mean. If they don’t understand you, explain what you mean. Use
these expressions to help you.

When you don’t understand

I don’t understand.
Could you repeat that?
What do you mean, exactly? Could you say that again?
I’m not sure what you mean.
Can you explain that?

Explain what you mean

What I mean is ...
In other words ...

Remember! You can also use the ideas in When you don't know an exact
word.
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B2 STARTER UNIT

5. Suggestions
In some speaking activities you have to make suggestions and/or respond
to suggestions. Use these expressions to help you.

Making suggestions
Why don’t we ... (+ verb without ‘to’) ?
Shall we ... (+ verb without ‘to’) ?
Would you like to ... (+ verb) ?
Let’s ... (+ verb without ‘to’)
What about ... (+ -ing) ?
How about ... (+ -ing) ?

Responding to suggestions
Yes, OK.
That’s a good idea.
That sounds great!
No, I don’t think so.
I’m not sure about that.
I’d prefer to ... (+ verb).

6. Taking turns
In an exam you have to take turns with your partner because you both need
to talk. Make sure you speak for long enough and that your turn isn’t too
short. Use these expressions to help you.

Take turns
You start.
I’ll go first.
Shall I go first?
Do you want to begin?
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Make your turn longer by giving examples

What I mean is ...
So, in other words ...
For example ...
Such as ...

Avoid silence and get time to think

So ...
Erm ...
Well ...
Let me think ...

In English-speaking cultures we avoid long silences or pauses. We look at

the other person and show that we are listening to their turn. We also
indicate when we want to speak and use expressions to keep our turn.

7. Speak without words! (non-verbal language)

Remember that your gestures and body language can help you
communicate. These tips will help you to get your message across, without
any words at all.

TIPS • Mime what you want to say.

• Nod your head to show that you understand.
• Remember! In English-speaking cultures it is polite to look at the
person you are speaking to in the eye. It is not rude.
• Look confused when you don’t understand. This tells the person you
are speaking to that you would like an explanation.