Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide if, according to Eun-Kyung, the following statements are true or false: 1) Eun-Kyung lives near Seoul. 2) At the time of the interview she had recently graduated. 3) You have the chance to teach before you graduate. 4) Eun-Kyung is looking for a part-time job. 5) On her training course none of the students were motivated. … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 10: Delivering STAR Stories
Archives for January 2020
Splendid Speaking Interview 11: Taking Part in Discussions
Comprehension Questions As you listen, try answering these questions. 1) Why does Arturo talk about the climate in Italy? 2) Where do most people meet for Christmas in Italy? 3) Do both speakers think children still believe in Santa Claus as much as ever? 4) What is a secret friend? 5) When do people in Brazil open their presents? 6) Why does Solange think the children in … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 11: Taking Part in Discussions
Splendid Speaking Interview 12: Essential Signposting
Comprehension Questions As you listen, try answering these questions. 1) Who is Eun-Kyung's talk aimed at? 2) How long was the Joseon Dynasty? 3) How do Korean palaces differ from Western palaces? 4) What will you find at Insa-Dong? 5) Why might tourists find Insa-Dong an easy place to visit? 6) What two things does Eun-Kyung say are good about Korean restaurants? 7) … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 12: Essential Signposting
Splendid Speaking Interview 13: Acknowledging Your Partners Contributions
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide if the following questions are true according to what Ana and Jonas say. 1) Ana thinks evening yoga sessions would be popular. 2) Jonas thinks it would be easy to organise yoga lessons. 3) Jonas thinks they would need volunteers to deliver the courses. 4) There are solutions which don’t require exercise. 5) The aim should … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 13: Acknowledging Your Partners Contributions
Splendid Speaking Interview 14: Using Anecdotes
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide whether according to Arturo, the following questions are true or false. 1) Attitudes to food have changed. 2) Children welcomed the emergence of canned food. 3) Arturo used to help his mother with the running of the house. 4) Processed food gave people more free time. 5) Canned or processed food was less expensive than … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 14: Using Anecdotes
Splendid Speaking Interview 15: Spontaneous Talks
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide whether according to Solange, the following questions are true or false. 1) Travel helps you develop your intellect. 2) You need to watch your behaviour when dealing with different religions. 3) Experiences of travel can help you deal with people better in certain working situations. 4) Tolerant people are more likely to … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 15: Spontaneous Talks
Splendid Speaking Interview 16: Asking and Responding to Questions
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide whether according to Anca and Laurent, the following questions are true or false. 1) Anca and Laurent both worked in the same area. 2) Laurent is currently working as an engineer. 3) Anca knows a lot about Laurent’s field of work? 4) English is important for Anca as she wants to be a teacher. 5) Laurent believes people … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 16: Asking and Responding to Questions
Splendid Speaking interview 17: Using Anecdotes
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide whether according to Victoria, the following questions are true or false. 1) Victoria met her husband whilst traveling around the world. 2) Victoria speaks Russian. 3) Victoria and her husband used to communicate in English when they were getting to know each other. 4) Victoria decided to learn English mainly to … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking interview 17: Using Anecdotes
Splendid Speaking Interview 18: Working Together to Reach Agreement
Comprehension Questions As you listen, decide whether according to Joao and Werner, the following questions are true or false. 1) Joao doesn’t think some of the options are useful. 2) Joao would like to run courses about the Internet. 3) Werner has experience of being in a similar community group. 4) Werner spends more time on the computer now than when he was … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 18: Working Together to Reach Agreement
Splendid Speaking Interview 19: Active Listening
Comprehension Questions As you listen, answer the following questions: 1) Where has Ana spent most of her life: Austria or Romania? 2) Which language does Ana regard as her first language? 3) Has Ana met anyone from Switzerland before? 4) What is Jonas planning on studying at university? 5) Why does Jonas know about Ethnology? 6) What does Jonas say is interesting … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 19: Active Listening
CPE Speaking Practice: Studying Abroad
Introduction In this lesson you will prepare for a CPE Part 3 long turn by reading about the advantages of studying abroad identifying key vocabulary practising word stress looking at effective ways of starting a long turn trying a CPE Speaking Part 3 long turn CPE Part 3 Task You are going to prepare to answer the following Part 3 task What are the benefits … [Read more...] about CPE Speaking Practice: Studying Abroad
Splendid Speaking Interview 20: Describing Pictures & Photographs
Transcript Do you need to improve your skills in describing pictures or photographs? It may be that you have to speak on a subject and need help how to structure a short talk. This podcast features an interview with Andrzej from Poland. In this task Andrzej had to speak for about 1 minute, commenting and reflecting on the collection of photographs he was given. The … [Read more...] about Splendid Speaking Interview 20: Describing Pictures & Photographs
Self-Assess Your Speaking Skills
Introduction There's no short cut to improving your general proficiency in English as measured by your use of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and fluency. Your English is currently at a particular level and this will only improve over time depending on the amount of practice you put in. This is why you need to take every opportunity both in class and during self-study to … [Read more...] about Self-Assess Your Speaking Skills
6 Common Grammar Mistakes
Introduction Have you noticed how some mistakes seem to hang around quite a while during your studies? Even at advanced level, after years of studying English, you find yourself making the same errors again and again. Having taught a huge number of English students over the years, I've noted how the following 6 types of grammatical mistakes are often made at this level - … [Read more...] about 6 Common Grammar Mistakes
Pronunciation: An Introduction
Check out the key areas to focus on Quite understandably, students often aspire to speak ‘perfect English’, including using pronunciation that doesn’t identify them as a non-native speaker. But what is perfect pronunciation?’ Are we talking about the Queens English or a national or regional variation? If you're taking an exam, the good news is the assessor will not be … [Read more...] about Pronunciation: An Introduction
Sentence Stress
Introduction English is a stress-timed language which means certain words and syllables within a statement are stressed. Listen to me saying the following statement. You should start to hear a rhythm: I try to eat a balanced diet. Now you try. The stressed syllables are as follows: I TRY to EAT a BALanced DIet. Practice Examine the following statements … [Read more...] about Sentence Stress
Pronunciation of ‘ed’ Verb Endings
Introduction The ‘ed’ endings of regular past tense verbs can be pronounced in three different ways: /t/ Example: ‘helped‘/d/ Example: ‘played’/id/ Example: ‘visited’ 1) How should the following verbs be pronounced? needed triedbooked shopped wanted picked stayedtravelled planned relaxedwalked hoped intended looked decidedloved enjoyed Check your answers … [Read more...] about Pronunciation of ‘ed’ Verb Endings
CPE Speaking Practice: Social Media
Introduction In this lesson you will prepare for a CPE Part 3 long turn by reading about the pros and cons of social media identifying key vocabulary practising word stress looking at effective ways of starting a long turn trying a CPE Speaking Part 3 long turn CPE Part 3 Task You are going to prepare to answer the following Part 3 task What effect has the … [Read more...] about CPE Speaking Practice: Social Media
FCE Word of the Day
If you’re keen to develop your vocabulary for FCE, the Flo-Joe website should be your first port of call. Flo-Joe’s Word of the Day Every day, from Monday to Friday, we publish a new phrasal verb, collocation and word formation exercise. These short, bite-sized activities will only take a few minutes out of your busy schedule but give you the chance to learn new … [Read more...] about FCE Word of the Day
CPE Word of the Day
If you're keen to develop your vocabulary for CPE, the Flo-Joe website should be your first port of call. Flo-Joe's Word of the Day Every day, from Monday to Friday, we publish a new phrasal verb, collocation and word formation exercise. These short, bite-sized activities will only take a few minutes out of your busy schedule but give you the chance to learn new … [Read more...] about CPE Word of the Day