English Today

FCE Tips - Part 4: Paper 5 - Speaking

A. What's in the Speaking Test?

• Part 1: conversation with the examiner in which you give personal information and opinions.
• Part 2: you compare 2 photographs and answer a question.
• Part 3: you discuss some pictures with the other candidate and reach a decision.
• Part 4: further discussion  with the examiner about the task from Part 3

Time: 15 minutes per pair of candidates

Your speaking is assessed on:

• grammar and vocabulary
• discourse management (= development of ideas)
• pronunciation
• interactive communication
• global achievement

 

B. General Tips for Speaking

• Don't worry if the examiner stops you before you have finished everything that you want to say. You and your partner will be given the exact time set out in the test.
• Always speak clearly so that the examiner can hear you and understand what you say.
• Don't worry if you make some grammatical mistakes. That's only a part of the assessment.
• Do NOT prepare sentences or short speeches before the test!!  Just react naturally to what your partner and the examiner say to you.
• Do NOT write anything down as part of your preparation for the test. Remember! This is a speaking test.
• In Part 2 and Part 3, the task is written at the top of the page, but if you aren't sure what to do, ask the examiner to repeat the instructions before you start. You can also check what you have to do with your partner.
• Don't try to talk all the time. Don't interrupt your partner while they are speaking. Wait till they have finished.
• Do NOT use slang e.g. I'm a bit pissed off with school. Say something like: I sometimes find school boring
• Last but not least, relax, don't be too nervous and enjoy the experience!

SOURCE: The Official Top Tips for FCE - Cambridge ESOL Examinations - UCLES 2008

Igcse Esl - Speaking Test - Past Exam Topics - Part II

IGCSE ESL Oral Assessment

Past Exam Topics - May/June 2009

B. The Importance of Music

Many people listen to music for pleasure, but music can be more important in our lives.

Discuss this idea with the Examiner.

You may wish to consider such things as:

• different types of music that you know about
• the effect that music you like has on you
• how music can affect people in different ways
• why nations have musical anthems and traditions
• how people would cope in a world without music

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own.

You are not allowed to make any written notes.

C. Achievement

Most of us have aims, goals or targets in our lives

Discuss this idea with the examiner.

You may wish to consider such things as:

• what you have done so far in your life that you are proud of
• any aims or goals you have set yourself for the future
• achievement by other people that has impressed you
• what can be learned from failure to achieve
• how a nation can be judged in terms of its achievement

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own.

You are not allowed to make any written notes.

D. Humour

What makes one person laugh can make another person cry.

Discuss humour with the Examiner.

You may wish to consider such things as:

• what makes you laugh
• some humorous people you know and what makes them amusing
• how important it is to have a sense of humour
• the idea that humour does not necessarily need words to make us laugh
• how certain types of humour can be cruel or damaging

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own.

You are not allowed to make any written notes.

E. Living in another country

There are many people in the world who have never travelled outside their home country; there are many other people who live a long way from home.

Discuss this situation with the Examiner.

You may wish to consider such things as:

• your experiences of living at home or abroad
• a country in which you would particularly like to live
• the advantages and disadvantages of living in a different country
• reasons why some people can never leave their homeland or choose not to leave their homeland.
• how true it is to say that the world is now a global community

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own.

You are not allowed to make any written notes.

Igcse Esl - Speaking Test - Past Exam Topics - Part I

 

It's that time of year again when the countdown starts for the igcse esl candidates. The Speaking Test is round the corner, so I thought I'd post some past exam topics. However, read the following tips carefully before you start preparing for the Igcse Esl Oral Assessment.

• DO NOT prepare a script of various past exam topics. This is the surest road to failure! After all, it's a speaking test!
• Use the past exam topics as thought-challenging topics and think of what you have to say.
• Make sure you use spoken forms of English - NOT including slang - and a variety of structure and vocabulary.
• This exam is all about ...chatting with a native speaker.  Surely you will make mistakes but don't worry too much about them if you are able to communicate and engage your examiner in the conversation!
• The Igcse Speaking Test is neither a speech nor an interview. It's a conversation!
• Most importantly, relax! Be cool and ...don't be afraid to disagree with your examiner, nicely and politely, once you can justify your opinion.

PAST EXAM TOPICS - MAY/JUNE 2009

A. Crime

Crime is increasing in some countries.

Discuss issues related to crime with the Examiner.

You may wish to consider such things as:

• any ways in which crime has affected you or might affect you directly
• which crimes are serious and which crimes are minor
• whether you think the punishment for committing crime in your country is strict enough
• some reasons why people commit crime and how it could be prevented
• why you think that in some places crime is on the increase.

You are free to consider any other ideas of your own,

You are not allowed to make any written notes.

The IGCSE Speaking Test

 

The IGCSE countdown has started. In Larnaca, the speaking test will be taking place from March 17 to March 31. I know that most of you dread it. You shouldn't worry, however, as examiners are really nice and friendly and will do their best to make you feel comfortable. So relax and enjoy the conversation with a native speaker of English.

The IGCSE Speaking Test consists of three phases and takes about 10 minutes.

1. Warm-Up

The examiner will welcome you to the test and will ask you to briefly talk about yourself, your family, your school, your intersts. Remember that this part of the exam is not being marked. It's an informal chat just to get you settled down and make you feel comfortable. This should be your aim in the warm-Up- to calm yourself down and get ready. It might be a good idea to mention your particular interests such as hobbies, things you like doing, current issues that are on your mind, things you feel strong about. One of the examiner's topic cards might be a good choice for you. But remember, it's not you but the examiner who chooses the topic card.

2. The Topic Card

The examiner will then give you the topic card and will go through  all the points of the topic. If there is anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask the examiner but don't overdo it !! You will be allowed to look at the topic card for about 2-3 minutes and think about what you want to say but you won't be allowed to make any written notes. Remember that you don't have to stick to the five or six points listed on the card. You can include some points of your own. This will help to make the conversation more interesting and might lead to a higher mark for you. But you should remain broadly within the main topic.

3. The conversation with the examiner

The test is certainly not about delivering a speech! Examiners are trained to avoid and stop speeches taking place. You should, therefore, try to involve the examiner in a genuine conversation. You should think of the three assessment criteria in this way:

(a) Structure - am I using spoken language, sentences and phrases accurately?

(b) Vocabulary - am I using a wide range of words?

(c) Fluency - can I take part in a two-way conversation by extending the prompts / ideas that the examiner has brought up?

The key to success is to be relaxed. Forget all about the test and just try to have a good chat on an interesting topic. Then it's likely that you have performed well.

Adapted from : Examiner Tips for IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510) - Papers 5 and 6 by Dean Roberts - examiner for IGCSE E2L and principal moderator for oral tests

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most common questions my students usually ask me about the test:

1. What if my mind goes blank and I can't say a word?

Don't be negative! Negativity will only lead to failure. But should this happen, be sure that the examiner will help out. It is important to speak!

2. What if I know nothing about the topic?

You don't need to have any prior knowledge of any of the topics. The test is not about how much you know about a topic but about how well you can engage in a two-way conversation without digressing from the topic.

3. How can I prepare for the test?

- Use the topics from past exam papers to practise speaking with a friend or your teacher.

- Revise your vocabulary and spoken forms of English.

- Take the good habit to listen to a British Radio Station daily. Listen to talks, interviews, the news. The more you understand spoken English the better you will speak it.

- DO NOT prepare any topics and learn them by heart!!

4. If I forget a word, can I say it in my language?

No, you can't! This is an exam testing your ability to express yourself in English. Besides, don't forget that the examiner may not speak or understand your native language. However, if you forget a word, don't panic. Use other words you are familiar with to explain.

Example

You want to say: I believe that wild animals should live in their natural habitat.

Say: I believe that wild animals should live in the jungle or in forests - I mean their natural home.

5. Am I likely to  get a lower mark if I make mistakes?

Worrying too much about making mistakes will hinder conversation. However, you will be penalised if you make too many mistakes or use limited vocabulary.

6. Am I supposed to have a good accent?

No, not at all! But you are expected to have a good pronunciation and a good intonation.