Speaking Part 1: Overview and Tips

In this lesson we will do the following:

1. 📑 Look at the format of the Speaking Exam

2. 🎯 Look at the type of topics that come up in the exam

3. 🤔 Compare Speaking Part 1 to a 'Real Life' activity

4. 💡 Review some general Speading Part 1 Tips

1. 📑 Speaking Part 1 Format

Time

Speaking Part 1 lasts 4 - 5 minutes.

Format

First, the examiner reads some instructions, then introduces themself and confirms the candidate's identity.

The first question you will be asked is your full name.

Examiner: Can you tell me your full name, please?

Candidate: Maria Clara Restrepo Pérez.

They might ask what they can call you (especially if you have un nombre compuesto).

E: And what shall I call you?

C: You can call me Maria.

E: Can I see your identification, please?

C: Yeah, here you go.

The examiner then asks the candidate questions about everyday ‘familiar’ topics. (see common topics below)

The first set of questions will either be about:

• where you live OR
  

• what you do.

Something like:

E: Let's talk about where you live.	E: Let's talk about what you do. Do you work or do you study?
How long have you lived there? What do you like about where you live? Is there anything you don't like about where you live?	How long have you had that job/studied that subject? What do you like about your work/studies? Is there anything you don't like about your work/studies?

The examiner will start to evaluate your answers from this point on.

Then examiner will then ask you questions about one or two 'everyday', 'familiar' topics.

2. 📑 Types of Topics that Come up in the Exam

Below is a list of the kinds of 'everyday', 'familiar' topics that might come up in the exam.

​your job	clothes	food	neighbours
your studies	computers	going out	newspapers
your hometown	daily routine	emotions	pets
your home	social media	hobbies	reading
art	your evenings	the internet	shopping
birthdays	your family	leisure time	sport
childhood	your friends	music	TV / movies
future plans	travelling	learning English	celebrations

The conversation may go something like this:

Examiner: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

Candidate: I'm a really big fan of classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, but from time to time if I need to relax, I also listen to jazz or lo-fi hip hop.

E: How often do you listen to music?

C: I listen to music throughout the day. I usually play some music while I'm making breakfast, then I listen to work in the car while I drive to work, and I absolutely love listening to music while I'm working out at the gym. The main time I don't like to music is when I'm working, 'cause then I can't concentrate.

E: Do you like going to music concerts?

C: Well, as I said, I really like rock music, so I try to go to gigs at least once a month. In my city there's a really vibrant music scene with loads of underground and up-and-coming bands. At my university they also put on a lot of classical music concerts, and I enjoy going to those too.

E: And can you play any musical instruments?

C: Unfortunately not, but I'd love to! I used to play the piano when I was at school, but I haven't practised for years. When I finish my master's, I might take it up again.

3. ☕ What 'Real Life' Activity is this like?

Imagine you go for a coffee with a friend, and your friend has brought along another friend whom you don’t know. Imagine making small talk with that person and getting to know each other.

You might give your opinion about the things you like/dislike, how often do you do things, or give examples of things that you regularly experience in your everyday life.

4. 💡 Pro-Tips

⭐ Show the examiner that you can engage in a casual conversation with a decent level of fluency and spontaneity.

⭐ Assume that the examiner doesn’t know anything about the information that they ask for and that they are genuinely interested in understanding what they are asking.

⭐ Use this part to make the best impression possible.

⭐Try to use this part to settle down and feel at ease. Try your best to shake off any nervousness you may be feeling.

⭐ Extend your answers with reasons and examples (but not too much!)