FCE Speaking Test: Test: Part 1 (Interview) Tests ability to: use language for social purposes, e.g. aking intro!uctions, answering "uestions a#out $ourself.
Part 1 of t%e FCE Speaking test lasts a#out & inutes. T%e e'ainer will ask soe gettingtoknow$ou "uestions per%aps to fin! out w%ere $ou coe fro, $our interests, $our fail$ or $our stu!ies etc. Example Questions
*: Where *: Where are you from? *: Tell *: Tell me something about your family. *: What *: What did you enjoy most when you were at primary school? s chool? *: Do *: Do you have any plans for for a holiday this year? Q: Do you play any musical instruments? Tips!
+iving full answers to t%e e'ainers "uestions will %elp get t%e interview off to a goo! start. 1) voi! voi! giving s%ort, uncounicative replies. *: Tell Tell me something s omething about your family. : I : I live with my mum dad and sister and brother brother.. (-ont stop t%ere) !y t%ere) !y sister"s younger than me and still goes to school. !y brother brother wor#s as a computer technician. /) voi! voi! s%ort, $es, no answers to close! "uestions. (T%ese are "uestions #eginning 0ave $ou ..., -o $ou ..., Is it ... etc w%ic% can #e answere! sipl$ wit% a $es or no answer). *: Do *: Do you have any plans for for a holiday this year? : $es. $es. %Don"t stop there&' If I get the chance I"d li#e to visit my friend frie nd in (ermany. We We haven"t seen each other for a while and I"m really really loo#ing forward to seeing him and getting to #now (ermany. *: Do *: Do you play any musical instruments? : )o. : )o. %Don"t stop there&' there&' We had music lessons when I was at school but but I was never very good. &) ffer e'aples to %elp $ou e'plain a stateent. *: Why are you preparing for the *+, e-am? : )o : )o reason really. really. %Don"t stop there&' I enjoy learning ,nglish and I thin# it would be be good to have a ualification to show my level. FCE Speaking Test: Part / (2ong Turn) Tests ability to: speak at lengt% co%erentl$, use language to !escri#e, copare an! contrast an! coent upon a topic.
Part / of t%e FCE Speaking test lasts #etween 3 inutes (4 inutes for groups of t%ree). T%e e'ainer gives $ou two p%otograp%s an! $our partner a !ifferent pair of p%otograp%s. 5ou 5ou %ave to speak a#out $our two p%otos wit%out interruption for a#out 1 inute an! also answer a "uestion a#out $our partners p%otograp%s w%en %e or s%e %as finis%e! t%eir long turn. Example Task Task
T%e interview will #egin wit% t%e e'ainer sa$ing soet%ing like: *: In *: In this part of the test I"m going to give each of you two photographs. I"d li#e you to tal# about your photographs on your own for about / minute minute and also to answer a short uestion uestion about your partner"s photographs. *: %+andidate *: %+andidate 0' here are your photographs. They show people participating participating in sporting activities. activities.
*: I"d li#e you to compare the two photographs and say why sport is important to people. *: 0ll right? 6otice t%ere are T7 instructions %ere: first to copare t%e two p%otograp%s an! also to sa$ w%$ sport is iportant to people. In Part / can!i!ates nee! to s%ow t%e$ can copare #ut also give an opinion.
T%e e'ainer will t%en ask Can!i!ate 8 a s%ort "uestion a#out t%ese p%otograp%s. *: T%ank $ou (Can!i!ate ). (Can!i!ate 8) w%ic% sport woul! $ou ost like to tr$9 Can!i!ate 8 will t%en !o t%eir long turn wit% a !ifferent set of p%otograp%s an! at t%e en!, Can!i!ate will #e aske! a s%ort "uestion. Tips!
1. 2isten to t%e instructions carefull$ an! ake sure $ou know w%at $ou %ave to talk a#out. If $ou !ont un!erstan! t%e instructions $ou s%oul! ask t%e e'ainer to repeat t%e: 1,-cuse me could you say that again?1 1I"m sorry but would you mind repeating that?1 /. T%e "uestion will %elp $ou wit% t%e structure of $our talk. ) Start wit% a general suar$ of t%e topic: "These two photographs show people involved in a sport."
8) T%en ove on to a coparison of t%e two pictures, using wor!s to %elp e'plain t%e coparison: Both photographs were ta#en outside and each of the people are concentrating hard on what they"re doing. "The top photo shows a woman roc# climbing whilst the bottom photo is of a young s#ating ... It loo#s li#e the woman is out in the natural world whereas the boy is in a man2made s#ating par# ..... etc." C) Finall$ give $our opinion wit% e'aples, again using signposting wor!s an! e'pressions to %elp t%e e'ainer follow $our arguent. " my opinion sport is important for people in lots of ways. For example it"s a way to #eep fit of course but In we also meet new people and can get a lot of enjoyment from a sport ... etc." 3. Practise aking s%ort oneinute talks as often as possi#le to get an i!ea for %ow long 1 inute feels like. Tie $ourself an! ask a frien! for fee!#ack. FCE Speaking Test: Part &: (Colla#orative Task) Tests ability to: use language to !iscuss, e'press an opinion, to agree an! !isagree, speculate an! evaluate etc.
In Part & of t%e test, w%ic% lasts a#out & inutes, t%e e'ainer will give #ot% can!i!ates instructions an! a set of visuals an! t%e can!i!ates will %ave to tr$ to reac% soe for of agreeent. Example Task
T%e e'ainer will sa$ soet%ing like: *: )ow I"d li#e you to tal# about something together for about 3 minutes. *: I"d li#e you to imagine that you are planning a wee#2long touring holiday with your partner around the country that you"re studying in. $ou want to see as much as possible but don"t want to spend too much money on transport. 4oo# at the types of transport shown in the photographs. *: *irst tal# to each other about how useful each of these forms of transport might be for your holiday. Then decide which one would be best. *: 0ll right?
6otice t%ere are T7 instructions %ere: first to talk a#out eac% for of transport t%en to !eci!e w%ic% one is #est for $our %oli!a$. T%is eans $ou %ave to !o ore t%an ust !escri#e t%e !ifferent fors of transport. 5ou also %ave to s%ow $ou can work wit% $our partner to tr$ to reac% soe for of agreeent. 5ou !ont %ave to reac% agreeent #ut $ou ust at least work towar!s t%is. Tips!
It will %elp #ot% $ourself an! $our partner if $ou work toget%er colla#orativel$ on t%is task.
1. 8e prepare! to ask $our partner for %is or %er opinion rat%er t%an sipl$ stating $our own. For e'aple: "What do you thin#?" "5ow about you?" "Do you thin# ...?" /. 2isten carefull$ to w%at $our partner sa$s an! respon! to coents %e or s%e akes to %elp t%e !iscussion flow. For e'aple: "Do65ave60re you?" "Don"t65aven"t60ren"t you?" "Do you thin# so? "7eally?" &. If $ou !isagree tr$ e'pressing t%is politel$. For e'aple: I see what you mean but ... I can see your point but ... "8ut don"t you thin# ..." 3. ;se e'pressions to allow $ourself tie to t%ink. For e'aple: That"s a good uestion. Well let me thin# ... "It"s difficult to say ..." <. 5oull possi#l$ fin! $ou !ont un!erstan! soet%ing $our partner %as sai!. If t%is %appens, take control wit% siple "uestions like t%ose #elow to %elp $ou !eal positivel$ wit% t%e situation. T%is will also give $ou t%e c%ance to ipress t%e e'ainer wit% $our counication skills. ) If $ou !i!nt "uite un!erstan! a wor! or p%rase ust sa$ soet%ing like: 19orry but could you e-plain what you mean by ........1 or 1I haven"t come across that word6e-pression before. +ould you e-plain what you mean?1 8) If $ou !i!nt %ear or !i!nt un!erstan! soet%ing $our partner %as sai!, ask t%e to repeat it: 19orry I didn"t catch that. +ould you say that again?1 1,-cuse me. +ould you repeat that?1 C) lternativel$, $ou ig%t want to confir w%at $ou t%ink $our partner sai! so $ou coul! sa$ soet%ing like: 1Do you mean ........1 1When you say ........ are you as#ing6do you mean ........?1 FCE Speaking Test Part 3: (-iscussion) Tests ability to: use language to e'press an! ustif$ an opinion, to agree an! !isagree etc.
In Part 3 of t%e test, w%ic% lasts a#out 3 inutes, t%e e'ainer will oin #ot% can!i!ates in a !iscussion a#out t%e general topic t%at appeare! in Part &. Example Questions
*: Which sports are popular with young people in your country? *: 9ome people say people don"t participate in sport as much as they should. Do you thin# this is true? *: Do you thin# team sports are more fun than individuial sports Tips
1. gain, as wit% earlier sections of t%e test, avoi! s%ort, $es, no answers to t%e e'ainers "uestions. /. Continue to work wit% $our partner. =espon! constructivel$ an! s%ow interest in t%ings %e or s%e sa$s.
INTRODUCTION T%is page !escri#es t%e oral (speaking) e'a for t%e Ca#ri!ge FCE (First Certificate in Englis%) e'a. 5ou usuall$ take t%e speaking e'a toget%er wit% one ot%er stu!ent. T%e e'a lasts a#out 13 inutes an! %as four parts: (1) Inteie" (# minutes) Eac% of $ou will #e aske! #asic "uestions a#out $our %oe town, fail$, work or stu!$, leisure an! future plans. ($) In%ii%ual tasks (& minutes) Eac% of $ou will #e aske! to copare two colour p%otograp%s an! e'plain $our personal feelings a#out t%e ($ou will #e aske! to speak for 1 inute, wit%out an$ interruption). 5ou will also #e aske! to give $our opinion a#out t%e ot%er stu!ents p%otograp%s ($ou will #e e'pecte! to speak for a#out /> secon!s). (#) 'oint task (# minutes) 5ou will #e s%own soe pictures. 5ou will #e aske! to !iscuss t%ese wit% t%e ot%er stu!ent an! to ake a !ecision. Soeties $ou will #e aske! to agree on t%e conclusion, an! soeties $ou will #e tol! t%at $ou a$ ake !ifferent !ecisions. (&) Tee"ay %is*ussion (& minutes) 5ou will #e aske! to !iscuss (toget%er wit% t%e ot%er stu!ent an! t%e e'ainer) soe i!eas t%at are connecte! wit% t%e oint task.
Soe general a!vice a#out Keep it simple Tr$ to avoi! coplicate! e'planations or graar if $ou are not sure a#out t%e. If t%e trut%ful answer is !ifficult to e'plain, $ou a$ want to sa$ soet%ing easier in t%e e'a. Ask for explanations If $ou !ont un!erstan! w%at $ou are eant to !o, ask t%e e'ainer to e'plain. For e'aple, $ou coul! sa$: +ould you repeat the uestion please? I"m sorry could you e-plain the meaning of the word .... ? +ould you please as# the uestion in another way? Use full sentences voi! answers w%ic% are single wor!s or lists Finish the task 7%en $ou are aske! to copare an! contrast two p%otos an! to give $our personal feelings a#out t%e, ake sure t%at $ou leave soe tie for e'plaining $our own views. If $ou are aske! to reac% a conclusion in t%e oint task, tr$ to !o t%is wit%in t%e tie $ou are given. Keep speaking If $ou nee! tie to t%ink a#out soet%ing, tr$ to keep speaking rat%er t%an reain silent.5ou coul! sa$ t%ings suc% as: ?!uring t%e interview@ sai! to t%e interviewerA lease give me a moment while I thin# about the answer ?at t%e start of t%e in!ivi!ual task@ talking to $ourselfA 4et me see ... what do these photographs show? ?at t%e start of t%e oint task@ talking to t%e ot%er stu!entA 9hall we start by describing what we see in the pictures? ?!uring t%e t%reewa$ !iscussion@ asking eit%er t%e e'ainer or t%e ot%er stu!entA What is your opinion?
To avoi! wasting tie, ake it clear w%en $ou %ave finis%e! talking. For e'aple, sa$ soet%ing like: That"s all I can thin# of at the moment
ractice 8efore t%e e'a, practice t%e test wit% anot%er stu!ent (if $ou alrea!$ know t%e ot%er stu!ent w%o will #e taking t%e speaking test wit% $ou, ask %iB%er to practice wit% $ou). 5ou a$ fin! it useful to pa$ for soe private lessons wit% an Englis% teac%er to prepare. If $ou !o t%is toget%er wit% a frien! t%en t%e lesson a$ #e c%eaper for $ou, an! $ou can practice t%e speaking test in a ore realistic wa$. +,E-.IN/: Inteie" (& inutes a#out 1.< inutes for eac% can!i!ate) T%e e'ainer will ask $ou soe s%ort "uestions a#out $ourself To prepare for t%is part of t%e test, t%ink a#out s%ort answers to t$pical "uestions. Soe e'aples are s%own #elow
8efore t%e interview $ou will #e aske! to fill in a s%eet giving $our first nae, fail$ nae, %oe town an! countr$@ $ou s%oul! %an! t%is to t%e interviewer. T%e interviewer a$ ask $ou %ow to pronounce $our nae. 0ou ome to"n illa2e
6ae:
7%at is t%e nae of $our %oe town (pronounce it in t%e Englis% wa$)9
2ocation:
7%ere is t%e town locate!9 Is it near to t%e capital cit$ or an$ aor cities9 Is it inlan! or #$ t%e coast9
Specialit$:
Is $our town wellknown for soet%ing (for e'aple, a #uil!ing or a t$pe of foo!)9 7%at is t%e ost interesting part of $our town9
+eograp%$:
Is it in a flat, %ill$ or ountainous area9 -oes it %ave a river9
Sie:
Is it a large or sall town9 7%at is t%e population9
T$pe:
-o $ou live in a cit$ centre, a su#ur#, a town, a village, or in t%e countr$si!e9
In!ustr$:
7%at are t%e ain in!ustries9 7%at kin!s of o#s !o people !o in $our town9
Is it clean or pollute!9 Environent Is it "uiet or nois$9 : re t%ere an$ parks an! ot%er green areas9 pinion:
-o $ou like living t%ere9 re t%ere an$ t%ings to !o9
Coparison:
If $ou are not living in $our %oe town now, w%at are t%e ain !ifferences #etween $our current town an! $our %oe town9
0ou 3amily
Sie:
-o $ou %ave a large or sall fail$9
8rot%ers:
-o $ou %ave an$ #rot%ers or sisters9 re t%e$ ol!er or $ounger t%an $ou9
Parents:
-o $ou live wit% $our parents9 7%at !o t%e$ !o9
Pets:
-o $ou %ave an$ pets9
0ou "ok o stu%y
6ow:
re $ou working or stu!$ing at t%e oent9 Can $ou tell e soet%ing a#out $ourself9
Previous:
7%at were $ou !oing #efore $ou starte! $our current work or stu!ies9
Englis%:
7%$ are $ou stu!$ing Englis%9 7%ere are $ou stu!$ing9 0ow long %ave $ou #een stu!$ing Englis%9
4eisue
0o##ies:
7%at !o $ou like !oing in $our spare tie9 -o $ou %ave an$ %o##ies9
Dusic:
7%at kin! of usic !o $ou like9
Sports:
-o $ou like sports9
0oli!a$s:
0ow !o $ou like to spen! $our %oli!a$s9
=ea!ing:
-o $ou eno$ rea!ing9
Fils:
7%at sort of fils !o $ou like to watc%9 7%at is $our favourite fil9
5utue plans
fter return:
?If $ou are living in t%e ; nowA 7%at !o $ou plan to !o w%en $ou return to $our countr$9
o#:
7%at sort of o# woul! $ou like to !o in t%e future9
Future life:
7%at !o $ou t%ink $ou will #e !oing after < or 1> $ears9
Countr$:
-o $ou want to live in $our %oe countr$ or a#roa!9
+,E-.IN/: In%ii%ual task (3 inutes a#out / inutes for eac% can!i!ate) 5ou will #e given two p%otograp%s an! aske! to copare an! contrast t%e, an! give $our opinion a#out t%e. 5ou will onl$ %ave one inute to !o t%is. Tr$ to keep talking@ avoi! an$ long gaps. T%e pictures a$ s%ow an$t%ing, #ut t$picall$ t%e su#ect will #e: a #uil!ing, a lan!scape, a town, a person (or a group of people) !oing soet%ing 5ou can keep looking at t%e p%otograp%s w%ile $ou are talking.
-escri#ing eac% of t%e pictures 5ou ig%t start #$ giving a #rief !escription of eac% of t%e pictures. 5ou !o not %ave to !escri#e t%e in !etail. If $ou are not sure w%at t%e picture is, use $our iagination an! sa$ w%at $ou t%ink it is. It !oesnt atter if $ou are wrong. T%ere are !ifferent wa$s in w%ic% $ou can refer to t%e pictures. For e'aple: T%e first picture (referring to t%e one on t%e left or on top)@ t%e secon!Bot%er picture (referring to t%e one on t%e rig%t or on t%e #otto) T%e picture on t%e left B t%e left%an! picture@ t%e picture on t%e rig%t B t%e rig%t%an! picture T%e top picture B t%e picture on t%e top B t%e upper picture@ t%e #otto picture B t%e picture at t%e #otto B t%e lower picture fter intro!ucing t%e pictures, $ou a$ #e a#le to refer to t%e using a su#ect nae, for e'aple t%e nstea! of picture $ou coul! sa$ p%oto or p%otograp%, or $ou coul! refer to t%e For e'aple: T%e firstBsecon! pictureBp%oto s%ows ... Coparing an! contrasting 2iking: I prefer to 8. I like ore t%an 8. I like , #ut I !islike 8. is ore ... t%an 8
+iving $our opinion In $ opinion, ... For e, ... I t%ink t%at ... T%inking of t%ings to sa$ +,E-.IN/: Example test
T%is is an e'aple of a possi#le speaking test for t%e First Certificate in Englis% e'a. T%ere are no rig%t answers for t%is kin! of test. E'aple conversations are s%own #ecause t%e$ a$ give $ou soe useful i!eas a#out %ow to answer t%ese t$pes of "uestions. 5ou will not #e e'pecte! to speak as fluentl$ as le' an! 5uko. (1): Inteie" (# minutes)
E'ainer:
+oo! afternoon. Coul! I %ave $our ark s%eets, please9 T%ank $ou. %the students hand their mar# sheets to the e-aminer' D$ nae is Dark an! t%is is $ colleague Susan. S%e is ust going to #e listening to us. So, $ou are le' an! 5uko9
le':
T%ats rig%t.
5uko:
5es. ctuall$ $ nae is pronounce! 5uko.
E'ainer:
5uko9
5uko:
T%ats fine.
E'ainer:
T%ank $ou. First of all we! like to know soet%ing a#out $ou, so I going to ask soe "uestions a#out $ourselves. 2ets #egin wit% $our %oe town or village, le'. 7%ere are $ou fro9
le':
I fro +eneva, in Switerlan!
E'ainer:
7%at kin! of o#s !o people in +eneva !o9
le':
+eneva %as an$ #anks, %otels an! eweller$ s%ops. Swiss watc%es are wellknown t%roug%out t%e worl!.
E'ainer:
n! w%ere !o $ou coe fro, 5uko9
5uko:
I fro 6ara, in apan
E'ainer:
Can $ou tell e soet%ing a#out 6ara9
5uko:
6ara was once t%e capital cit$ of apan. It contains an$ ol! teples an! is faous for its !eer park.
E'ainer:
-o $ou %ave a large fail$, le'9
le':
6ot reall$. I an onl$ c%il!. I live wit% $ parents. 7e %ave a cat calle! To$.
E'ainer:
7%at a#out $ou, 5uko9
5uko:
I %ave one el!er #rot%er an! two $ounger sisters. I live wit% $ ot%er an! fat%er an! one of $ gran!ot%ers. 7e !ont %ave an$ pets.
E'ainer:
0ow long %ave $ou #een stu!$ing Englis%, le'9
le':
I stu!ie! Englis% at sc%ool #etween t%e ages of eleven an! si'teen. Ive #een stu!$ing at a language sc%ool in 2on!on since Septe#er last $ear.
E'ainer:
0ow !o $ou like to spen! $our %oli!a$s, 5uko9
5uko:
I like travelling aroun! apan wit% one of $ sisters. I also eno$ watc%ing fils an! eeting $ frien!s. D$ ain %o##$ is pla$ing t%e violin.
E'ainer:
7%at kin! of sports !o $ou eno$, le'9
le':
I live close to t%e Swiss lps, so I eno$ skiing in t%e winter. I also like swiing in t%e lake in suertie.
E'ainer:
7%at !o $ou %ope to !o in t%e ne't few $ears, 5uko9
5uko:
fter Ive gone #ack to apan I %ope to fin! an office o# w%ic% uses $ Englis%. fter a few $ears I woul! like to get arrie! an! %ave c%il!ren.
($) In%ii%ual tasks (& minutes)
E'ainer:
T%ank $ou. 6ow I! like eac% of $ou to talk on $our own for a#out a inute. I going to give eac% of $ou two !ifferent p%otograp%s an! I! like $ou to talk a#out t%e. le', %ere are $our two p%otograp%s. T%e$ are pictures of !ucks. Please let 5uko %ave a look at t%e.
E'ainer:
5uko, Ill give $ou $our p%otograp%s in a inute. le', I! like $ou to copare an! contrast t%ese p%otograp%s, sa$ing w%ic% picture $ou like #etter an! w%$. =ee#er, $ou onl$ %ave a#out a inute for t%is so !ont worr$ if I interrupt $ou. lrig%t9
le': (1 inute)
E'ainer:
. 2et e see ... w%at !o t%ese p%otos s%ow9 7ell, #ot% of t%ese p%otos are pictures of !ucks on roa!s. T%e p%oto on t%e left s%ows four !ucks crossing a roa!. Two of t%e are w%ite an! two of t%e are #rown. T%e$ are walking in line. w%ite car %as stoppe! an! is waiting for t%e to ove. Da$#e t%ere is a long traffic a. T%e p%oto on t%e rig%t s%ows a #rown feale !uck wit% %er #a#$ !ucklings. I t%ink t%ere are si' !ucklings. T%e$ %ave foun! a pu!!le on t%e roa! an! t%e$ look coforta#le t%ere. I prefer t%e first picture. T%e picture rein!s e of t%e cover of a 8eatles al#u, s%owing t%e four e#ers of t%e #an! crossing a roa!. I feel a #it worrie! for t%e !ucks, #ecause t%e$ a$ #e %it #$ a car. 8ot% pictures rein! e %ow uc% %uans %ave c%ange! t%e environent. 7e %ave #uilt an$ roa!s w%ic% anials %ave to cross, an! reove! an$ lakes an! trees. T%ank $ou, le'. 5uko, w%ic% of t%ese pictures !o $ou prefer9
I like t%e rig%t%an! picture #etter. T%e !ucklings look ver$ sweet, an! t%e ot%er !uck looks prou! to #e looking after t%e. 5uko: 2ike le', I worrie! t%at t%e$ ig%t #e %it #$ a car. (/> secon!s) I %ope t%e$ can fin! a proper lake instea! of a pu!!le on a roa!. Da$#e it is a %ot suer an! it is !ifficult to fin! water. E'ainer:
T%ank $ou. %the e-aminer ta#es bac# the previous photographs'
6ow, 5uko, %ere are $our two p%otograp%s. T%e$ s%ow two pat%s in t%e Englis% countr$si!e. Please let le' %ave a look at t%e.
E'ainer:
5uko: (1 inute)
E'ainer:
I! like $ou to copare an! contrast t%ese p%otograp%s, sa$ing %ow $ou woul! feel walking on eac% of t%ese pat%s. =ee#er, 5uko, $ou %ave onl$ a#out a inute for t%is, so !ont worr$ if I interrupt $ou. lrig%t9 I un!erstan!. 2et e see. Firstl$, I will !escri#e t%e upper p%oto. T%is s%ows a pat% t%roug% a forest. It is a wella!e pat%. n t%e left%an! si!e t%ere is a #enc% w%ere people can rest if t%e$ are feeling tire!. In t%e !istance I can see a sign s%owing w%ic% wa$ to go. Da$#e t%is pat% is aintaine! #$ t%e local council or #$ t%e 6ational Trust. T%e lower picture s%ows a pat% t%roug% a fiel!. It isnt aintaine! as well as t%e ot%er pat%. It looks like a roa! for a farers car or tractor, not for people. T%ere arent so an$ trees in t%is picture. T%ere is one tree in t%e foregroun!, an! soe ot%ers in t%e #ackgroun!. To t%e rig%t of t%e pat% is a fiel! full of $ellow flowers. I !ont know w%at kin! of plant it is. T%e $ellow flowers ake t%is picture ore colourful t%an t%e ot%er one, w%ic% is ostl$ green. I t%ink #ot% p%otos were taken in suer, #ecause t%e sun is s%ining an! t%e trees an! flowers are growing well. I woul! prefer to walk on t%e pat% s%own in t%e top picture. It looks ore roantic I want to go t%ere wit% $ #o$frien!. If it is a %ot !a$, t%ere is a lot of s%a!e un!er t%e trees an! we can sit !own on t%e #enc% an! %ave a picnic. T%ank $ou, 5uko. le', in w%ic% place woul! $ou prefer to #e9
I prefer t%e place s%own in t%e #otto picture. le': T%e lan! is "uite flat, so $ou can see far into t%e !istance. (/> secon!s) D$ %oe town is surroun!e! #$ ountains, so it is unusual to see t%at kin! of scener$ t%ere. I woul! like to c$cle along t%at pat% wit% $ frien!s. E'ainer:
T%ank $ou.
(#) 'oint task (# minutes)
E'ainer:
6ow, I! like $ou to talk a#out soet%ing toget%er for a#out & inutes. I ust going to listen. 0ere are soe pictures suggesting wa$s $ou ig%t tr$ to iprove $our Englis%.
E'ainer:
Talk to eac% ot%er a#out %ow useful $ou fin! eac% of t%e wa$s of stu!$ing, an! t%en agree wit% eac% ot%er on t%ree t%at $ou woul! #ot% recoen! to a frien!. 5ou %ave onl$ a#out t%ree inutes for t%is, so, once again, !ont worr$ if I stop $ou an! please speak so t%at we can %ear $ou. lrig%t9
5uko:
lrig%t.
le':
.
5uko:
So, le', lets take turns to c%oose a et%o! of stu!$ing. 7%ic% wa$ !o $ou like #est9
le':
I t%ink t%at learning Englis% on a coputer is t%e #est wa$. T%ere is a lot of useful inforation on t%e internet.
5uko:
5es, I agree. 7e can stu!$ at an$ tie #$ ourselves. 8ut I fin! Englis% conversation ost !ifficult, so talking to people is goo! for e.
le':
Deeting people is eno$a#le, too. Its easier to learn Englis% if $ou can eno$ $ourself at t%e sae tie.
5uko:
7atc%ing Englis% fils is fun, !ont $ou t%ink9 Dan$ vi!eos an! -G-s %ave su#titles, aking it easier to un!erstan! w%at is #eing sai!.
le':
5es, #ut I t%ink I learn ore #$ watc%ing 8ritis% television prograes.
5uko:
7%at sort of prograes !o $ou t%ink are useful for stu!$ing Englis%9
le':
7ell, $ou can iprove $our listening #$ watc%ing soap operas. 5ou can %ear %ow people reall$ talk. n! $ou can learn a lot a#out 8ritis% culture #$ watc%ing t%e news an! !ocuentaries.
5uko:
5es, in apan I use! to watc% 88C 7orl!, a 8ritis% news c%annel on satellite television. 5ou can learn a lot #$ rea!ing newspapers too, #ut I !ont #u$ a newspaper ver$ often. 7%at a#out $ou9
le':
I soeties rea! t%e Detro, a free orning newspaper. D$ %ost fail$ #u$s T%e Ties eac% !a$, #ut it is a #it !ifficult for e to un!erstan!.
5uko:
2ets see ... w%ic% pictures %ave we isse!9 7e %avent entione! #ooks or cassette tapes $et.
le':
+raar #ooks an! !ictionaries are iportant, arent t%e$9 7e can use t%e to iprove our writing an! to learn new wor!s.
5uko:
f course. I t%ink we s%oul! ake #ooks one of our t%ree recoen!e! et%o!s. -o $ou agree9
le':
5es, lets !o t%at. 7%at a#out tapes9
5uko:
I soeties #u$ tapes wit% $ graar #ooks or rea!ing #ooks, #ut t%e$ are "uite e'pensive.
le':
I like listening to 8ritis% usic tapes or C-s, #ut it is %ar! to un!erstan! t%e wor!s.
5uko:
5ou can stu!$ t%e l$rics, #ut a$#e $ou cant learn so uc% voca#ular$ t%at wa$.
le':
I t%ink t%e pen represents writing letters. I %a! an Englis% penfrien! w%en I was in Switerlan!. T%at was a goo! wa$ of learning Englis%.
5uko:
5es, #ut I prefer writing eails or using voice ail on t%e coputer. 5ou can get a repl$ ore "uickl$.
le':
T%ats true. I !ont write so an$ letters t%ese !a$s I use t%e coputer at t%e internet cafe.
5uko:
I t%ink weve entione! all of t%e et%o!s. 2ets c%oose t%e t%ree we will recoen!.
le':
7e #ot% seee! to t%ink coputers are useful.
5uko:
5es, an! we agree! t%at #ooks s%oul! #e one of our c%oices.
le':
So w%ic% one s%all we c%oose for t%e t%ir! et%o!9 I noinate vi!eos an! fils.
5uko:
Personall$ I #elieve t%at eeting people is ore iportant. If $ou %ave Englis%speaking frien!s, $ou will keep on stu!$ing.
le':
. Soeties it can #e !ifficult to ake frien!s wit% native Englis% speakers, #ut knowing %ow to talk Englis% is iportant for work or for travel.
5uko:
So s%all we ake our recoen!ations9
le':
5es, lets !o t%at.
5uko:
I suggest t%e following. First: coputers, secon!: #ooks, t%ir!: talking to people. -o $ou agree9
le':
5es. Coputers, #ooks an! conversations are all goo! wa$s of stu!$ing Englis%.
E'ainer:
T%ank $ou.
(&) Tee"ay %is*ussion (& minutes)
E'ainer:
5uko, !o $ou t%ink it is goo! t%at coputers are #eing use! ore coonl$ in sc%ools9
5uko:
I t%ink so. People can fin! a lot of useful inforation using coputers. T%ere are soe #a! points a#out t%e too, t%oug%.
E'ainer:
7%at sort of #a! points can $ou t%ink of9
5uko:
7ell, if people spen! too uc% tie looking at t%e coputer screen, t%e$ a$ %ave less tie to eet people an! t%e$ ig%t #ecoe less active. In apan, sc%oolc%il!ren are putting on weig%t. T%e$ spen! so uc% tie stu!$ing or pla$ing gaes on a coputer, or watc%ing television.
le':
It a$ not #e goo! for t%e e$es to look at a TG or coputer screen all !a$. I t%ink t%ats w%$ ore people nee! to wear glasses or contact lenses.
E'ainer:
-o $ou t%ink t%ere is uc% !ifference #etween writing a letter an! sen!ing an eail, le'9
le':
7riting a letter using pen an! paper takes ore tie an! effort, I t%ink. It isnt so eas$ to correct istakes as it is on a coputer.
E'ainer:
-o $ou prefer receiving a letter or an eail9
le':
Its nice to get a letter fro soeone. D$ parents write letters to e w%ile I living awa$ fro %oe, an! I like to receive t%ose ver$ uc%. 8ut I like to get eails fro $ frien!s, #ecause I can write #ack an! get a repl$ "uickl$. I c%eck ever$ !a$ to see if I %ave receive! an$ eails.
E'ainer:
7%at a#out $ou, 5uko9
5uko:
Sorr$, coul! $ou please repeat $our "uestion9
E'ainer:
Certainl$. I was ust asking $ou w%et%er $ou prefer to get a letter or an eail.
5uko:
% I prefer getting letters. T%e$ are ore personal. 8ut t%ese !a$s people are ver$ #us$, so it is natural to write eails instea!.
E'ainer:
-o $ou #elieve w%at $ou rea! in t%e newspapers or see on television, le'9
le':
People sa$ we are living in t%e inforation age. 8ut $ou cant trust all t%e inforation $ou receive. Soeties t%e stories in newspapers are invente! #$ t%e ournalists, #ecause t%e$ know t%at people want to rea! a#out gossip. n television, I t%ink t%e "ualit$ of prograes is getting worse. T%ere are ore an! ore c%annels.
E'ainer:
-o $ou #elieve w%at $ou rea! on t%e internet, 5uko9
5uko:
n$one can put inforation on t%e internet, so $ou cant trust it copletel$. 5ou %ave to #e careful.
E'ainer:
-o $ou t%ink Englis% is taug%t well in $our %oe countr$, 5uko9
5uko:
I t%ink t%at t%e Englis% teac%ers in apan concentrate on graar too uc%. 7e !ont %ave uc% opportunit$ to practice speaking. T%e class sie is ver$ large often t%ere are 3> stu!ents or ore. =ecentl$ t%e governent %as encourage! $oung native Englis% teac%ers to coe to apan, #ut it is !ifficult for t%e #ecause t%e$ arent traine! teac%ers an! t%e$ cant speak apanese. 0ow well is Englis% taug%t in Switerlan!, le'9
le':
I t%ink it is easier for us to learn Englis% in Switerlan!. T%ere are four languages spoken in !ifferent parts of t%e countr$, so learning languages is iportant for us. T%ere are an$ tourists an! #usiness people w%o speak Englis%, so we can practice outsi!e of t%e sc%ool soeties. 8ut t%e #est wa$ to learn Englis% is to visit an Englis%speaking countr$.
5uko:
5es, I agree. D$ speaking an! listening skills %ave iprove! a lot since I cae to Englan! to stu!$.
E'ainer:
T%ank $ou. T%at is t%e en! of t%e test.
