East China University of Science And Technology

Hints for Speaking Test

School of Business ECUST Lin Wei

1. Be prepared and try to relax

The test: a fairly formal interview, not like an ordinary conversation The first impression: important Body language: important The process is recorded: dont worry Greet the examiner: in an appropriate way

2. Be willing to talk and be positive

Try to talk for at 75-80% of the time; the examiner will do as little talking as possible. Take advantage of every question to show: you are an interesting and informed person. Be confident and think about what you want to say.

Q: How often do you go to the cinema? A: Once a month.

Q: Whats your favorite colour? A: Well, to be honest, I dont really have an actual favorite colour but I guess that if I were buying clothes, then Id usually go for something like blue or grey you know, kind of dull colours, nothing too 7+ bright.
The more the better?

3. Standardized questions
A frame used by examiner: a set of pre-determined questions on a topic Four areas of speaking ability are assessed when examiners gives a score: 1) Fluency and coherence 2) Lexical resource 3) Grammatical range and accuracy 4) Pronunciation

The Test
The test consists of three main sections and lasts for 11-14 minutes. -- In part 1, you are asked to talk on familiar topics such as your work, study, experience, family, interests or hobbies etc. -- In part 2, you are asked to talk on a particular topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to prepare. -- In part 3, you are asked to discuss more general issues related to the topic in part 2.

Strategies: Part 1
Introduce yourself in a relaxed, friendly manner Produce basic information about yourself simply, accurately, and as fluently as possible. Make full use of the questions asked. Answer questions clearly and in some detail (using at least two or three sentences). Present yourself as a person who is willing to talk and has interesting things to say about yourself

Strategies: Part 1
Do not tell the examiner that you are nervous, or blink your eyes and move about too much. Do not cut the interview questions short with one-word or very short answers. Do not wait for another question- the examiner wants you to answer each question in full. Do not be afraid to correct yourself, e.g. if you make a grammatical mistake, but fluency is just as important. Do not take too long to answer each question at this stage let the examiner guide you. You should sense when the examiner wants to move on to the next question.

Tell me something about

Your university Your leisure time activities The food of your hometown The transportation in your city Hometown study

What do you like about your hometown?

A1: My hometown is Wuhan. Wuhan is very modern so I like the buildings. All over the city there are lots of new interesting buildings being built. When I was younger most of the buildings looked the same so it wasnt as attractive as it is nowadays.

What do you like about your hometown?

A2: Well, my hometown is Wuhan and you might not know this but Wuhan is very modern. Actually, all over the city there are lots of new and interesting buildings being built. In fact, it is quite interesting to recall that when I was younger most of the buildings looked the same, so you see it wasnt as attractive as it is nowadays.

Practice: What kind of sports do you like?

A: I dont like sports. I like computer games. My favorite computer game is Counter Strike and this game is very popular in China. I like it because it is very exciting.

Strategies: Part 2
Talk in some detail with little or no hesitation about the topic referred to on the card you are given. Try to give an organized answer by following the instructions written on the card. Use the preparation time to think about your answer. Keep talking about the topic with no help from the examiner for at least 1 minute and up to 2 minutes, about 30 seconds on each instruction. Be aware of how long you have been talking and make sure you have answered all that is required on the card. Be prepared to answer a couple of questions at the end.

Strategies: Part 2
Do not digress, i.e. do not talk of things which are not directly related to the topic on the card. Do not hesitate for too long in your answer. It is better to speak about anything than not to speak at all. Do not be afraid to correct yourself, but too much correction will make it difficult for you to be understood. Do not expect the examiner to give you feedback on your talk. It is fine to prepare something, but do not try to repeat what you have memorized. Lift your voice a little higher.

Strategies: Part 3
Try to talk around a difficult question by speculating (guessing), using simple words if you can to express complex ideas. This is much better than trying to impress with big words that you may use incorrectly. Always attempt to answer a question as fully as possible and the best way you can. Use a variety of introductory phrases to begin expressing the possibility or a future situation occurring, (e.g. I think/believe/guess/suppose that; In my opinion/view; as far as Im concerned; It seems to me; If you ask meetc.)

Strategies: Part 3
Dont repeat information you gave in part 2. Do not worry if you cannot answer easily. The examiner is asking more difficult questions in par 3 and is trying to find your ceiling the point at which you cannot communicate easily for lack of vocabulary or some other speaking skill. If asked to talk about the future, do not overuse will.

Possible issues that could be linked to the topic Wild Animals

Loss of places to live Human population takes over
Animal rights? Public attitude?

Wild animal
Numbers now past / future Human exploitation: food/leather/experiments Our responsibility? Protection? Government measures?

Part 1: Sample Questions

1. How do you usually contact your friends? (why?) 2. Do you prefer to contact different people in different ways? 3. Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family? 4. In your country, did people in the past keep in contact in the same ways as they do today? (why/why dot?)

Practice: Part 1 Keeping in contact with people

1. How do you usually contact your friends? (why?) Example:
Well, I usually chat with my friends by MSN messenger or by email as I spend a great deal of time on the computer every day. But if theres a serious matter to talk about, I will choose faceto-face communication, you know, eye contact and body language can avoid misunderstanding.

Part 1
2. Do you prefer to contact different people in different ways? Example: Yes, I do. For those acquaintances, I dont see them face-to-face very often, just greet them on some festivals by telephone. I like to meet friends at weekends because I know they are my real friends and will last forever.

Part 1
3 Do you find it easy to keep in contact with friends and family? Example: Yes. Its easy for people to keep in touch with each other in many ways: letters, digital cameras, cell phones, blogs, and so on. Email is the most convenient way to contact people if you have their email addresses. But the only pain for me is that sometimes I have to email too many people back.

Part 1
4 In your country, did people in the past keep in contact in the same ways as they do today? (why/why dot?) Example: people in the past mainly contacted each other by writing letters. Today, emails are used more, which convenient and quick. But getting a handwritten letter seems to spark a more personal feeling. I think it is a lost art in this modern world of text messaging and emails.

Part 2: Description
Instructions:
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish. Task: Describe a party that you enjoyed. You should say: Whose party it was and what it was celebrating where the party was held and who went to it what people did during the party and explain what you enjoyed about this party.

Part 2: Task Analysis

Start with an appropriate sentence State the purpose for the gathering / party Tell about the place of the party and the participants Describe the activities Explain why you enjoyed the party

Part 2: Sample Answers

Start with an appropriate sentence Ok, Id like to talk about a family party I went to last year. It was enjoyable. State the purpose for the gathering / party One thing our family does every year is that we all come together in my grandmothers house to celebrate her birthday, which is in December, just two days after the Christmas.

Part 2: Sample Answers

Tell about the place of the party and the participants
The whole family was there. I mean my entire extended family, including my uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. We go to my grandparents house because their house is large, very large, and since my grandmother is old and she finds it difficult to travel very far. So its easier if we all go to her house.

Part 2: Sample Answers

Describe the activities
As usual, we had a huge meal with my grandmother, and everyone helped in the cooking. We sat around our dinner table, eating delicious food and catching up on all our news. Every family member gave my grandmother a gift and a best wishes.

Part 2: Sample Answers

Explain why you enjoyed the party
I love these big family get-togethers. Its the only time I get to see some of my relatives as we live far from one another. So without family events like this one, we might not see each other at all. I like the way everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves and not thinking about the pressures of work and life. It was rather a family party than a birthday party for us. Its great for everyone to come together as a family. We also played games together and had fun.

Part 3: Sample Questions

Family parties
1 What are the main reasons/why people organize family parties in your country? 2 In some places people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this ever true in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend? 3 Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is?

Part 3: Sample Questions

National celebrations 1 What kinds of national celebrations do you have in your country? 2 Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more, young people or old people? Why? 3 Why do you think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money? Would you agree or disagree with this view/ Why?

Part 3: Sample Answers

Family parties
1 What are the main reasons why people organize family parties in your country? Example: Its great to see everyone again and enjoy one anothers company. Its also a great way to share the love everyone has for the family, which brings us closer together. People say You can choose your friends, but you cant choose your family, which means even the family members are annoying you cant change the situation. Sometimes there can be arguments and disagreements. Still its difficult to get away to do your own things if theres so much pressure to be together as a family on these occasions.

Part 3: Sample Answers

2 In some places people spend a lot of money on parties that celebrate special family events. Is this ever true in your country? Do you think this is a good trend or a bad trend? Example: This does happen somewhere in China. I think the main reason people tend to spend a lot of money for special family events like weddings is that its a unique event in that people think that will only happen once in their lives. They want to make it special and something to remember. Another factor is the desire to impress all your friends and relatives who will come to the family events. Not only do you want to have fun and enjoy the occasion but you also want to show off a bit. I dont think its a good trend to splash too much on these events.

Part 3: Sample Answers

3 Are there many differences between family parties and parties given by friends? Why do you think this is? Example:

At gatherings with friends, you feel more relaxed and theres so much you can do, disco or bowling or singing, and its more interesting and more fun. Family parties are a bit boring because there are usually food and talking. Also, friends parties can reinforce the bonds of a social group. In some contexts, it can strengthen business related bonds, and strengthen a sense of team and make contacts to further ones career.

Part 3: Sample Answers

National celebrations 1 What kinds of national celebrations do you have in your country?
Example:

There are quite a number of national holidays in China. New Years Day is a grand occasion for the Chinese people. They celebrate the new year like people all over the world. The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people. Its on the first day of the first lunar month, which usually lasts for more than a week. October the first is the National Day. On that day you can enjoy various kinds of entertainments, and since its a holiday of 5-7 days, many people like to take the chance to travel.

Part 3: Sample Answers

2 Who tends to enjoy national celebrations more: young people or old people? Why?
Example:

I will say older people. Kids today are not taught what our national celebrations mean. I mean what they truly mean. Its one thing to say we got our National Day on Oct. 1st, but the youth of today are not taught or experienced enough to enjoy them other than as a day-off. Older people, on the other hand, have in many cases served in the army, or have good friends who have, or lived through a war. Seniors understand and appreciate our national celebrations more, so they maybe not enjoy parties, but revere them more.

Part 3: Sample Answers

3 Why do you think some people think that national celebrations are a waste of government money? Would you agree or disagree with this view/ Why? Example: I quite agree with that. I dont like those neverending national celebrations. Spending too much money on vanity projects is extravagant , and its a waste of the taxpayers money. The government should use this money to help those in need. Anyway, what is taken from the people should be used in the interests of the people.

Part 1
Tell me about your career Tell me about an important decision you made 1. Think about what to say 2. Find the words and expressions to say what you want to say 3. Work with a partner and write a paragraph 4. Talk to each other on the topic

Part 2
Describe one of your friends.
You should say: how you met how long you have known each other how you spend time together and explain why you like this person 1 Think about the topic (for one minute) 2 Talk about the topic to your partner for two minutes.

Part 3
Discussion topics: Quality of friends What do you think are the most important qualities for friends to have? Which are more important to people, family or friends? Why/ What do you think causes friendship to break up?
1 Think about the questions 2 Work in pairs, one as examiner, the other examinee.