B2.4 INFO AND EXAM STRUCTURE

Tuesday - Thursdays 6-8pm


Download the materials clicking  here

or buy the photocopies at D' LOLA photocopy shop, c/Actor Isidoro Máiquez 2)

DO NOT GET ANY NEW EDITION OF THE BOOK

+ more photocopies/materials will be given in class

(+ lots of materials and links published on our FACEBOOK, like us! I run the page, so the main focus is English)

Class rules
Switch off or silence your phone, NO whatsapping or or social media in class!
Sit with different people everyday
Get the email/ phone number/ whatsapp of a classmate or open your own whatsapp group (to be able to get your homework if you miss classes)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
I won't accept writings handed in past the deadline.


Holidays Group Tuesday- Thursday

12/10 NO CLASS
07/12 'PUENTE' - to be confirmed in class

Last class before Christmas: 21.12.17
First class back after Christmas: 09.01.18

FINAL EXAM 

WRITTEN 23.01.18 (Tuesday from 6 to 8)

SPEAKING 25.01.18 (Thursday from 6 to 8)

REMEMBER YOU NEED TO HAVE 80% ATTENDANCE (you can miss 6 classes / 12 hours) to take the exam.

Al aprobar este examen tendréis derecho a presentaros GRATIS al examen de ACLES B2 en la convocatoria de junio.



EXAM STRUCTURE

Cada parte = 25% de la nota
(B2.4 Hay que sacar un 5/10 mínimo en cada parte, pero la media final tiene que ser 6/10 para aprobar. Sacando una nota inferior a un 5 en una de las partes se suspende todo el examen).

READING
2 TEXTOS con preguntas tipo A, B, C, matching, true/false (justificando las falsas), o seleccionar que información se menciona en el texto

LISTENING
2 AUDIOS (cada uno se escucha 2 veces) con preguntas tipo A, B, C, matching, rellenar huecos, true/false o seleccionar que información se menciona en el texto

WRITING
2 WRITINGS a escoger entre 3, para cada uno tendréis que escribir 140-150 palabras (no os paséis! No se corrige lo que supera el número de palabras requerido y se quitan puntos si escribís menos)
Puedes ser de todos los tipos que se hayamos practicado en el curso: carta formal, essay/opinion advertisement, notice, article, film review, short story.

SPEAKING
2 partes
Individual: 2-3 preguntas generales sobre temas parecidos a los del libro --- to practice check:
http://ceciliasclasses.blogspot.com.es/2016/09/speaking-practice-b24.html


En parejas: pregunta común con fotos, como las que vayamos practicado (opiniones sobre actividades, viajes, casas, hobbies o ponerse en una situación real de viaje, salir con amigos, cena etc)

Encontraréis ejemplos aquí http://es.padlet.com/sheaven7/ENGLISHB24
(La contraseña es mi nombre escrito en mayúsculas)
Check the photos/speaking prompts labelled: oral exam practice

POSSIBLE FORMATS:
- Activities (for families, for children, for teenagers, for foreigners, for couples etc)
- Activities pleasure/nightmare
- Travelling / Sightseeing/Means of transport
- Imagine meal
- Imagine afternoon/night out

C1.1 INFO AND EXAM STRUCTURE

Materials you need to buy:

1) EF ENGLISH FILE ADVANCED, STUDENT'S BOOK
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS


Or get the materials here HERE
or buy the photocopies of the book At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

2) Extra PHOTOCOPIES HERE
or At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)
C1.1 Extra Materials, Chapter 1 to 5 (Cecilia)

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Class rules
Switch off or silence your phone, NO whatsapping or facebook in class!
Sit with different people everyday
Get the email/ phone number/ whatsapp of a classmate or open your own whatsapp group
(to be able to get your homework if you miss classes)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK! We'll correct them at the beginning of every class.
I won't accept writings handed in past the deadline.

Holidays Group Tuesday- Thursday


12/10 NO CLASS
07/12 'PUENTE' - to be confirmed in class


Last class before Christmas: 21.12.17
First class back after Christmas: 09.01.18

FINAL EXAM 

WRITTEN 23.01.18 (Tuesday from 4 to 6)

SPEAKING 25.01.18 (Thursday from 4 to 6)

REMEMBER YOU NEED TO HAVE 80% ATTENDANCE (you can miss 6 classes / 12 hours) to take the exam.


C1.1. EXAM STRUCTURE (to be confirmed)

Cada parte = 20% de la nota
Hay que sacar un 5/10 mínimo en cada parte, pero la media final tiene que ser 6/10 para aprobar.
Sacando una nota inferior a un 5 en una de las partes se suspende todo el examen.

READING
2 TEXTOS con preguntas tipo A, B, C o matching o true/false (justificando el porque si es falsa si las instrucciones lo requieren) o seleccionar que información se menciona en el texto.

USE OF ENGLISH
30- 50 preguntas de rephrasing, choose the correct option or use the correct word (aquí entran have - auxiliary/main verb, discourse markers - linkers, pronouns, the past, get, discourse markers - adverbs and adverbial expressions, speculation and deduction, adding emphasis, distancing and unreal uses of the past tenses-  todo lo que sale en la parte de gramática p.140-149 y vocabulario p. 160-166 de los temas  1-5 del libro)

LISTENING
2 AUDIOS (cada uno se escucha 2 veces) con preguntas tipo A, B, C o matching o TRUE/FALSE  (justificando el porque si es falsa si las instrucciones lo requieren) o completar con la palabra(s) correcta.

WRITING
A escoger 1 entre 3 opciones:

1) formal letter  - job application (250 palabras) - check p. 112/113
2) article (250 palabras) - check p. 114/115
3) dos writings cortos (125 palabras cada uno) entre las siguientes opciones -
 a) blog entry about an experience you lived (terrible, rewarding, scary ...) - check p. 163, extra photocopies
b) blog entry about some childhood memory --- check p. 143, book (My earliest memory)
c) a short presentation about  somebody (a person who inspired you, a famous person in your city, a teacher you had) - check p. 167, extra photocopies
d) breaking news story using distancing expressions (check p. 148 grammar)


SPEAKING

1-2 Preguntas individuales sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.
1-2 preguntas en parejas sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.

Check examples here: http://ceciliasclasses.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/c11-speaking.html (not finished, work in progress)

C1.3 INFO AND EXAM STRUCTURE

Materials you need to buy:

1) ADVANCED EXPERT COURSEBOOK -  THIRD EDITION
(also at At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

Para descargar los materiales, pincha AQUÍ

2) Photocopies of listening transcripts (At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

O aquí

There is a lot of extra vocabulary in the listenings, and they are not easy, so it's worth printing the transcript to take notes.

3) Vocabulary Revision exercises chapter 1-5  (At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

O aquí

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Class rules

Switch off or silence your phone, NO whatsapping or facebook in class!
Sit with different people everyday
Get the email/ phone number/ whatsapp of a classmate or open your own whatsapp group
(to be able to get your homework if you miss classes)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
I won't accept writings handed in past the deadline.

Holidays Group Monday- Wednesday

01/11 NO CLASS
06/12 NO CLASS

Last class before Christmas: 20.12.17
First class back after Christmas: 08.01.18

FINAL EXAM  (to be confirmed)

WRITTEN 22.01.18 (Monday from 6 to 8)

SPEAKING 24.01.18 (Wednesday from from 6 to 8)

REMEMBER YOU NEED TO HAVE 80% ATTENDANCE (you can miss 6 classes / 12 hours) to take the exam.


C1.3. EXAM STRUCTURE (to be confirmed)


Cada parte = 20% de la nota
Hay que sacar un 5/10 mínimo en cada parte, pero la media final tiene que ser 6/10 para aprobar.
Sacando una nota inferior a un 5 en una de las partes se suspende todo el examen.

READING
2 TEXTOS con preguntas tipo A, B, C o matching o true/false (justificando el porque si es falsa si las instrucciones lo requieren) o seleccionar que información se menciona en el texto or other options to be added

USE OF ENGLISH
30- 50 preguntas de rephrasing, choose the correct option or use the correct word or other options to be added

LISTENING
2 AUDIOS (cada uno se escucha 2 veces) con preguntas tipo A, B, C o matching o TRUE/FALSE  (justificando el porque si es falsa si las instrucciones lo requieren) o completar con la palabra(s) correcta or other options to be added

WRITING
A escoger 1 entre 3 opciones:

or other options to be added

SPEAKING

1-2 Preguntas individuales sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.
1-2 preguntas en parejas sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.

Check examples here:

C2.1 (iniciación C2) INFO AND EXAM STRUCTURE

Materials you need to buy:

1) OBJECTIVE PROFICIENCY, Student's book with answers
     FOR REVISED EXAM FROM MARCH 2013

Get the materials here

- or buy the photocopies at D' LOLA photocopy shop, c/Actor Isidoro Máiquez 2

+ more photocopies will be given in class

(+ lots of materials and links published on our FACEBOOK, like us! I run the page, so the main focus is English)

Class rules
Switch off or silence your phone, NO whatsapping or facebook in class!
Sit with different people everyday
Get the email/ phone number/ whatsapp of a classmate or open your own whatsapp group (to be able to get your homework if you miss classes)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
I won't accept writings handed in past the deadline.

Holidays Group Monday- Wednesday

01/11 NO CLASS
06/12 NO CLASS


Last class before Christmas: 20.12.17
First class back after Christmas: 08.01.18

FINAL EXAM 

WRITTEN 22.01.18 (Monday from 4 to 6)

SPEAKING 24.01.18 (Wednesday from from 4 to 6)

REMEMBER YOU NEED TO HAVE 80% ATTENDANCE (you can miss 6 classes / 12 hours) to take the exam.

C2.1. EXAM STRUCTURE (to be confirmed)

Cada parte = 20% de la nota
Hay que sacar un 5/10 mínimo en cada parte, pero la media final tiene que ser 6/10 para aprobar.
Sacando una nota inferior a un 5 en una de las partes se suspende todo el examen.

READING
2 TEXTOS
- preguntas tipo A, B, C, (D)
- matching (e.g.: in which section are the following mentioned) 
- choose the paragraph that fits in the gap

to be completed

USE OF ENGLISH
30- 50 preguntas
- multiple choice cloze
- open cloze
- word formation
- key word transformation

to be completed

LISTENING
2 AUDIOS (cada uno se escucha 2 veces)
- multiple choice questions
- sentence completion
- multiple matching

to be completed

WRITING
A escoger 1 entre 3 opciones:

1) ESSAY with discursive focus (check p. 22-23; p. 56-57)
2) REVIEW (check p. 38-39)
3) ARTICLE (check p. 90-91)

to be completed


SPEAKING

1-2 Preguntas individuales sobre temas parecidos a los del libro/CPE y a los temas que vemos en clase.
1-2 preguntas en parejas sobre temas parecidos a los del libro/CPE y a los temas que vemos en clas.

EXAMPLES here: http://ceciliasclasses.blogspot.com.es/2017/08/speaking-practice-c21.html

Useful expressions for your speaking exam

MAKING YOUR POINT/ EMPHASIZING THAT SOMETHING IS YOUR OWN OPINION
In my opinion, ...
In my view ...
Personally, I think that ...
Personally speaking,
I reckon ...
If you ask me, ...
I'd say that ...
I feel that ...
My feeling is that ...
As far as I am concerned ...
From my point of view ...
It is my belief,
For my part,

AGREEING
I completely/totally agree ...
I quite agree ...
That's (just) what I think, too.
That's a good point.
That's exaclty the point.ç
You are absolutely right.
I'll go along with that.
Absolutely.

HALF-AGREEING
I see/ take your point, but ...
I see what you mean, but ...
I agree up to a point, but ...
I sort of agree.

DISAGREEING
I completely disagree.
I don't agree at all.
No, you are missing the point.
That's not the point.
I can't see your point at all.
But that's not always the case.
I am not so sure about that.
I am not sure I agree with you.
I am afraid I don't really agree.
I don't really think you are right.
Not necessarily.

UNCERTAINTY
I am undecided ...
I am unsure ...
I am ambivalent about ...
I am in two minds about ...

ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION
You mean ...
Sorry, I don't really see what you are getting at
Sorry, I don't quite follow you

END OF AN ANSWER
… in my view, anyway.
That’s my opinion, anyway.
So, in short …
All in all …
And that’s about it, really.

STARTING/CLOSING A DISCUSSION
We couLd start by talking about ...
Let's talk about ... first.
I think we need to make a decision.
Shall we try to come to an agreement?

 CONTRAST
But on the other hand …
But at the same time ...
Although I must admit that …
Having said that, …  

PREDICTIONS about yourself
I guess I’ll …
I reckon I will …
I don’t think I’ll ever …
I don’t imagine I’ll …

SUPPOSING ABOUT OTHERS
They are probably …
They probably + verb
They must + verb
It looks as if they are + ing
I imagine they might + verb  

PROPOSING
Let’s go to (this photography exhibition).
Well, why don’t we go to (this photography exhibition).
How does this sound?
Shall we go and see (this photography exhibition).?
How about going to (this photography exhibition).?
I have got an idea. We could go to (this photography exhibition).
Do you fancy going to see (this photography exhibition)?
Would you like to go to (this photography exhibition)?  

EXPRESSING OPINIONS/ REACTING
Believe me, …
… seems like the best option to me.
I am really keen on the idea of …
If you ask me, I really think we should …
But just think of the …. !
Personally, I am in favour of … (+ gerund)
I am sure it will be worth it.
Let’s go for it.
Oh, come on!
… , don’t you agree?  

REACTING in a negative way
I don’t find (modern art) very interesting.
I am not really into (modern art) In fact, I don’t really like(modern art) at all.
To be honest, (modern art) just makes me laugh.
(Modern art) isn’t really my thing.
I am not a big fan of (modern art)

REACTING TO STRANGE INFORMATION
How weird/ strange/ bizarre/ odd!
How spooky!
How awful!

EXCLAMATIONS
What a great/brilliant/fantastic idea!
What an amazing coincidence!
What a terrible experience!
What a pity!
What a waste of time!
What bad luck!
What a shame!

How interesting!
How annoying!
How embarrassing!
How awful!

ALLOWING YOURSELF TIME TO THINK
I need to think for a moment.
That’s an interesting question.
That's a tricky question, really.
Well, it’s difficult to say, really.
Let me see.
It depends …
I guess an honest answer would be …
I suppose the simplest answer to that question is …
If I think about it, I suppose …
On balance, I think …
The best example that comes to mind is ...
I have never given it a lot of thought ...

 TALKING ABOUT MISUNDERSTANDINGS
I was under the impression that …
I thought that … but in fact …
Naturally I assumed that …
It turned out that …
It was so embarrassing.
I was horrified.
I felt awful.
I felt such a fool.
We had a good laugh about it.  

COMPARING PHOTOS
The most obvious similarity is that both photos show …
You can see … in both photos.
The … in photo 1 is/are … . Similarly, the … in photo 2 is/are …
The … is the same in both photos.
In the first photo ... but in the second one ...
This picture ... while on the other hand this one ...
In comparison to the first photo, this one ...
The biggest difference between the photos is that photo 1 shows … whereas photo 2 shows …
While photo 1 shows ..., photo 2 on the other hand …
The … is completely different in the two photos.

And you'll find many more here:
http://www.uefap.com/speaking/group/grouplan.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv281.shtml

SPEAKING PRACTICE - C2.1

CHAPTER 1

1) Talk about a change of heart that heart that happened to you.
2) What advice would you give a friend whose teenage son/daughter has got in with the wrong crowd?
3) Everything has positive/negative energy, not only people, but also objects, rooms, buildings. What do you think?
4) What's your opinion about new forms of 'art', such as knitted graffiti or guerrilla crocheting?
5) What change has been made in your town recently that you (don't) approve of?

CHAPTER 2
1) How do you feel about the idea of becoming an entrepreneur?
2) Is there something you are dead set on doing, whatever it takes?

SPEAKING PRACTICE - C1.1

 WORK IN PROGRESS - NOT FINISHED

 Individual

1) Can you remember something you were afraid of when you were a child? Do you have any childhood memory of any special event or celebration? Did you use to get pocket money? What was your favourite place when you were little? Were you part of any organization or youth club? Would you have liked to?

2) Is there some attitude you can't stand and drives you crazy? Is there a person in your family that particularly annoys you? What about at work? Do you prefer music or silence when studying/working/driving/ at the gym? Is there any sound that really bothers you? What about a sound that really relaxes you?

3) What's your favourite book? Why? Is there any book that you started reading and couldn't put down? What about one that you really disliked? Would you like to be a translator? Why? Why not? Do you prefer reading books and watching films in the original language?

4) Were there any favourite places where you used to like going as a child? What did you do there? Who were the people you felt closest to when you were younger? Did you have any chores while you were growing up? How did you feel about them? As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you change your mind afterwards?

5) Do you consider yourself a person who usually gets their own way? Do you know anyone who does? Do you think women are better than men at getting presents for people? Is there someone in your family or group of friends that really gets on your nerves? Do you tend to keep up to date with your studies/work, or do you often get behind?

6) Would you ever go on a blind date? What would be the best place to go for a first date?  Do you have any childhood memories of a nice day out or a special occasion?  How did you use to celebrate your birthday when you were younger? DO you have any good memory of when you were in secondary school?

7) Do you have a favourite historical film? Can you describe a scene of a film that particularly impressed you? Have you ever read a book after seeing a film based on it? Do you watch  TV series based on historical facts?

Pairs - Groups

1) Discuss the following statement:  when children are young it's better for one parent not to work and look after them

2) Discuss the following statement: there should be at least one hour every evening when all members of the family turn off their electronic devices and talk to each other.

3) Discuss the following statement:  marriage should be a 5-year renewable contract.

4) Discuss the following statement: the only way to learn a foreign language is to move to the country where it is spoken.

5) Talk together about what foreigners should do to fully integrate in Spain.

6) Talk together about the dos and don'ts at a first date, in terms of best place/plan, appearance, lying, politeness, first impressions.

7) Discuss the following statement: people get wiser as they get older

8) Discuss the following statement: school doesn't help you to get anywhere in life.

C1.4 INFO AND EXAM STRUCTURE

Materials you need to buy:

1) ADVANCED EXPERT COURSEBOOK -  THIRD EDITION
(also at At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

Pincha aquí para descargar todos los materiales del curso

2) Photocopies of listening transcripts (At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2)

OR Go to your class padlet http://padlet.com/sheaven7/englishC14  password: my name in capital letters ;-) and download the listenings transcript. 

There is a lot of extra vocabulary in the listenings, and they are not easy, so it's worth printing the transcript to take notes.

3) Vocabulary Revision exercises chapter 6-10  (At D' Lola Photocopy Shop, Calle Actor Isidoro Máiquez, 2 or download from padlet)

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Class rules

Switch off or silence your phone, NO whatsapping or facebook in class!
Sit with different people everyday
Get the email/ phone number/ whatsapp of a classmate or open your own whatsapp group
(to be able to get your homework if you miss classes)
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
I won't accept writings handed in past the deadline.




C1.4. EXAM STRUCTURE (to be confirmed)

Cada parte = 25% de la nota

NO GRAMMAR/VOCABULARY part in this exam!!!!! 

Hay que sacar un 5/10 mínimo en cada parte, pero la media final tiene que ser 6/10 para aprobar.
Sacando una nota inferior a un 5 en una de las partes se suspende todo el examen.

READING
2 TEXTOS - options:
- Preguntas tipo A, B, C
- Matching (e.g: which of the paragraphs fits into the numbered gap) 
- True/false (justificando el porque si es falsa)

LISTENING
2 AUDIOS (cada uno se escucha 2 veces) - options:
- Preguntas tipo A, B, C
- matching
- TRUE/FALSE  (justificando el porque si es falsa )
-  Completar con la palabra(s) correcta.

WRITING

1 writing a escoger entre 3 opciones, 250 palabras

- ESSAY (check structure, useful vocabulary etc p. 100-101)
- COMPLAINT LETTER (check structure, useful vocabulary etc p. 116-117)
- BOOK REVIEW (check structure, useful vocabulary etc p. 132-133)


ORAL

1-2 Preguntas individuales sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.
1-2 preguntas en parejas sobre temas parecidos a los del libro.

(check: http://ceciliasclasses.blogspot.com.es/2016/01/speaking-practice-c14.html)

SPEAKING PRACTICE - B2.4

SPEAKING


INDIVIDUALES 

Monólogo: los candidatos reaccionarán ante un estímulo visual o ante un tema propuesto en la lámina de examen. Durante tres minutos como mínimo, tendrán que realizar descripciones, narraciones, expresar el punto de vista, etc., según la propuesta del tribunal. El entrevistador podrá realizar preguntas para guiar la prueba si lo estima conveniente. (3 – 4 minutos cada candidato)

1)      Would you like to have an identical twin? What advantages and disadvantages might there be?

2)      Would you like to be an only child? What advantages and disadvantages might there be?

3)      Tell us about a person you can’t stand and why.

4)      Do you have any particular good or bad habits? How easy is it to learn new habits or stop bad ones?

5)      Tell us about something strange or unusual that has happened to you.

6)      Tell us about a misunderstanding you have been involved in.

7)      In 5 years’ time, what kind of house will you be living in? clothes will you be wearing?

8)      In 25 years’ time, what kind of hobbies will you be doing? job will you be doing?

9)      Imagine that scientists could develop an ‘immortality pill’ that allowed people to live forever. Would you take it? Why/ Why not?

10)  What therapy or strategy would you use with an out-of-control teenager?

11)  Tell us about a funny thing that happened to you when you were out with your friends.

12)  Imagine you could have any superpower you can think of. What would you choose and how would you use it?

13)  A relative gives you a bag as a present. You don’t like it, so you give it away. The relative then asks you how often you use it. Would you tell a lie?

14)  One of your relatives is dating a person you don’t like. When he/she asks you what you think of this person, would you be sincere?

15)  What would be the advantages of doing a language course in an English-speaking country, rather than in your country? Would there be any disadvantages?

16)  Are zoos a good or bad thing?

17)  What do you think about graffiti? Are they vandalism? What is art for you?

18)  Have you seen any good film lately? Tell us about it.

19)  Tell us about something you were always warned not to do as a child.

20)  What is your learning style? What memory strategies do you use to prepare for an exam?

21)  Do you have any strange obsession? Are you addicted to someone? Do you know anyone who is?

22)  Nowadays people can’t live without their computers and cell phones. How important are new technologies in your life?

23)  Do you like travelling? Why do people travel? What’s your travelling style?

24)  If you could choose to live the life of another person for one week, which life would you most like to try?

25)  Do you judge people by the way they dress?

26)  What are your earliest memories?

27)  What would you do if you found yourself in a survival situation?

28)  Is there anyone your particularly admire? Why?

29)  Talk about things you don’t enjoy but have to put up with.

30)  What social problems are there where you live? How could individuals tackle them?

PAREJAS

Interacción oral: los candidatos dialogan entre sí para alcanzar un objetivo común o contrastar puntos de vista sobre el tema propuesto. Dispondrán de una ficha con la información suficiente para la realización de la tarea (aprox. 7 minutos)

Encontraréis ejemplos aquí http://es.padlet.com/sheaven7/ENGLISHB24
(La contraseña es mi nombre escrito en mayúsculas)
Check the photos/speaking prompts labelled: oral exam practice

Criterios de evaluación

1. Adecuación.
2. Interacción: las intervenciones favorecen la cooperación para el cumplimiento de la tarea propuesta.
3. Pronunciación.
4. Fluidez.
5. Competencia gramatical.
6. Organización discursiva.

SPEAKING PRACTICE - C1.2

INDIVIDUAL

1) When you have a technical problem, e.g. with a smartphone or tablet, do you
ask someone to help you or do you try to sort it out yourself?
2) Who taught you to swim? How quickly did you learn?
3) What three things would you recommend tourists to do if they were visiting
your town for 24 hours?
4) How long does it normally take you to get ready in the morning or before a
night out?
5) How would you try to persuade someone to do you a really big favour?
6) How do you think computer and video games might make young people
behave violently?
7) Is there any aspect of your daily life which involves you speaking English?
8) What do you dislike other people doing when you’re watching a film at the
cinema?
9) What things did your parents let you do as a child that parents probably
wouldn’t allow their children to do nowadays?
10) How do you think local councils could encourage people to recycle more?
11) What apps or websites do you use which help you improve your English
outside the classroom?
12) What kinds of excuses do you give when someone invites you to do
something or go somewhere and you don’t really want to?
13) If a friend asked you to look after their pet while they went on holiday, would
you? Why (not)?
14) Is there anything that sometimes prevents you from sleeping at night? What
do you do when you can’t sleep?
15) If you have to do something you don’t really want to, like homework or
housework, what ‘distractions’ do you find to stop yourself from having to
do it?
16) How could governments encourage citizens to use public transport rather
than cars?
17) Which country or city that you have been to would you recommend
someone to go to for an unforgettable holiday? Why?
18) Think about a bad journey you have had. What happened and how did you feel?
19) If a friend wanted to contact you, would you prefer them to call you or send
you an instant message? Why?
20) Do you prefer shop assistants to help you to choose new clothes or leave
you alone to choose yourself?
21) What gadgets or techniques do you use to help you remember important
dates like birthdays?
22) Think of a disastrous meal out you have had. Why was it so awful?


PAIRS - DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES TOGETHER

1) Parents ought to reward their children for passing exams, for example with a cash payment.
2)  Children shouldn’t have to memorize facts like multiplication tables and important historical
dates, as the information is now instantly available on the internet.
3) Secondary school teachers should never be made to teach more than four hours a day.
4) People shouldn't be allowed to keep very aggressive breeds of dogs such as pit bulls.
5) It should be against the law for parents to give fast food to obese children.
6) Which are the pros and cons of living in a country which is not your own?

SPEAKING PRACTICE - C1.4

More questions will be added throughout the semester


1) What makes a good communicator?  Do you know anyone who goes on about something all the time? In what situation have you not been able to get a word in edgeways? Have you ever got hold of the wrong end of the stick? Is there something you haven’t been able to make head or tail of?

2) In general, are you a rational person or do you base decisions on your emotions? What are the advantages of each approach? Do you think women are generally more emotional/intuitive than men? Are we less patient and less considerate nowadays than 30-40 years ago?

3) Have you ever struggled with some subject at school? Have you ever attempted  doing something new and failed? Have you ever neglected your family and friends because  of your job or studies?

4) Do you believe people in your country should be encouraged to leave their parents’ house when they are younger and be more independent? How does a child relationship with their parents affect their character? Has it affected yours? How?

5) Where do you most feel at home? What would you miss about your home town if you had to move away? How could people’s life change while travelling? What is the place that you like best in the world? Why?

6) How would you react in stressful situations, e.g. travel plans going wrong, being stranded in the middle of nowhere, cancelled flight etc? Have you ever lived any memorable situation while travelling that had an impact on your life?

7) Would you ever go into business with a family member? Why (not)? Which kind of business would you find most interesting to be involved with? What personal qualities does one need to be a successful businessman?

8) Why do people do yoga? What kind of people do you associate with this activity? Do you think you’d benefit from it? Which activities do you do when you want to unwind and relax? What about to focus and maximize your potential? 

9) What is your relationship with money? Are you a spendthrift or a saver? Do you buy on impulse or shop around? Compare your life with how it was 2 generations ago. Do you think it is better? How?
10)   What do you think are the biggest dangers of current scientific advances? How would you feel about working in a Space Station? Is exploring space a good thing? What would be the consequences for civilization if we discovered life on other planets? Do you know anyone who acts as if they lived on another planet?

11)   When people criticize you, are you unaffected by it? What topic of conversation is likely to be like a red rag to a bull for you? In arguments, are you like a dog with a bone? 

12)   What is the most difficult challenge you have set yourself? Which inventions do you think have been the most important for our lives? What scientific research should be given priority by the government? Are labour-saving devices a good thing? Or do they also have downsides? 

13)   What are the reasons for unacceptable teenage behaviors? Do you think teenage behavior nowadays is worse than it used to be? What do you think is the best time in life to develop your brain? Do you think society takes mental health seriously enough? 

14)   Do you think people are obsessed with their health? What most affects your sense of well-being? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? What are the most important factors for a healthy life?