Posted in Exam Preparation Class, Uncategorized

FCE Speaking Phrases

Image credit: www.examensgirona.com

Follow me on twitter @RobbioDobbio

First post in a while as I’ve been tied up with DELTA module 1 exams. Modules 1 and 2 are done! It’s been a fantastic but extremely taxing experience.

So it’s back to the bread and butter of exam prep classes and two long-standing private students have their FCE next week, so I’ve made this handy FCE speaking phrase sheet. Download it below:

FCE Speaking phrases

FCE Speaking Phrases

Likes/dislikes

I’m into…

I’m a keen/avid (surfer)

I’m keen on/fond of (surfing)

I’m a fan of…

Opinion

In my opinion…

I think/reckon…

From my point of view…

 

Comparing/contrasting

Both pictures show…

In this picture we can see… whereas/while in the other picture…

In contrast

On the other hand

Describing pictures

He/she/they seem to be…

He/she is probably…

In this picture it looks as if/though they are…

They could/might/may be…

They could/might/may have just…

In the background there is/are…

At the top/bottom…

In the corner…

Agreeing

You’re absolutely right.

I feel the same.

I couldn’t agree more.

I think so too.

Absolutely/totally.

Disagreeing

I don’t think so…

I take your point but…

Hhhmmm, I’m not so sure…

I see what you mean but…

Starting

Shall I start?

Shall we start with….?

Would you like to start?

Do you mind if I start?

That’s a difficult/interesting question.

Now let me see…

Asking for opinion

What’s your opinion on….?

What do you think about….?

How do you feel about…?

Would you agree with that?

Personalising

Speaking from personal experience,…

For me personally,..

I’d prefer to be in this situation because….

 

Impressive structures

Another point I’d like to add about … is…

Coming back to what… was saying about…

It’s also important to remember that…

Another idea which has just occurred to me is…

Repairing and Rescuing

I can’t remember the word at the moment but…

It’s the thing you use to…

The person who…

I have the word on the tip of my tongue.

The word has slipped my mind.

What I’m trying to say is…

What I mean is…

Asking for repetition

I beg your pardon, I didn’t catch that.

Sorry would you mind repeating that?

Could you repeat the question please?

Posted in Conversation Classes

Collaborative Speaking: Planning the School Trip

Image credit: www.rayburntours.com

Follow me on twitter @RobbioDobbio

This is a collaborative speaking task for B1+ students in which they decide how they would spend €2500 on a trip to London for their class. Download the powerpoint below.

Collaborate and Negotiate

Put students in groups of 3-4, project the powerpoint. Explain the situation to them: They have to decide how they are going to spend €2500 they have for a class trip to London. The money has to cover their transport, accommodation and activities. They need to reach a decision about how to spend the money and give reasons for their answer. Will they travel by bus? Which takes longer but costs a lot less. Will they stay in a 5* hotel? Or will they slum it in a 1* hostel and save the money for the VIP activity package? Give students a few minutes to make each decision and then present their choice and reasons to the group.

Follow up

Students write an FCE style review or report on the their trip to London.