Tips for conversation

Remember that everyone gets nervous in exams, especially oral exams. So, don’t worry, these tips will help you feel more confident in a speaking exam.

• Listening to as much English as possible will help to improve your speaking. Listening to songs, podcasts, films, TV series or video clips will help you to feel more confident about speaking.
• Speak as much English in class as possible. If you speak English regularly in class, you will find it easier to speak in an exam.
• Slow down! It’s not a race. Before you speak, think carefully about what to say and speak a little slower than normal.
• Use language you know is correct. Use words and expressions you have used before.
• If you don’t know a word, think of another way to say it. For example, if you know the word ‘expensive’, but can’t remember the word ‘cheap’, you could say:
  It’s not expensive.
  It’s a good price.
  It’s not a lot of money.
• Listen to yourself while you speak and if you hear a mistake, correct it. Native speakers make mistakes and correct them all the time.
• Look at the examiner’s or other student’s face and eyes when you speak. Do they understand you? If not, say it again with different words.
• If you don’t understand the question or the activity, ask the examiner. Say: ‘Could you repeat that, please?’
• Always say something. Don’t just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Explain your answer with a reason. Say ‘Yes, I agree because....’
• Speak clearly so that the examiner can hear you. If you find this difficult, practise with a friend at home. Stand at opposite ends of a room and speak to each other in English. Or speak to each other in English on your computers.

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).

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.

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

Explain what you mean

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

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?

Agreeing

That’s right!
Absolutely!
Exactly!
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).’

what can you do to improve your level of accuracy when you speak English?

• Even native speakers make mistakes when they speak in their own language, but they are always listening to themselves and correct themselves. Here are some tips to help you speak correctly.
• Don’t worry about making mistakes, it’s normal, but ...
• Listen to your English when you speak and if you notice a mistake, correct it. If you don’t notice any mistakes, don’t worry.
• Make a ‘my typical mistakes’ page in your notebook. Write down mistakes you often make and when you speak, listen out for those mistakes. If you always say ‘I must to go’, then write it down next to the correct version ‘I must go’ and listen out for this mistake when you speak.
• Use grammar you know. If you use new grammar you don’t know for the first time in an exam, you will make more mistakes and find it more difficult to correct yourself.
• Use words you know. Revise the vocabulary you learn in class and try to use new words again to help you remember them. If you don’t know an exact word, use a different word that you know.
• Record yourself speaking and listen to yourself. Correct your mistakes and remember the good language to use again.
• Take your time and think when you speak! If you speak too fast and don’t think about your language, you will make mistakes. However, don’t speak too slowly – you don’t want to sound like a robot.

Text from: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/speaking-exams