Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Similar to B2 First Certificate: FCE Speaking Course
Similar to B2 First Certificate: FCE Speaking Course (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
B2 First Certificate: FCE Speaking Course
- 2. Video Course ● There is a video course where native Cambridge English Teacher Rory goes through every slide in this presentation and more. You can access it for a 67% discount here.
- 3. What You Will Learn ● General format of the Cambridge English: First (FCE) Exam. ● Detailed format of the 'Speaking' paper. ● Tips, Technique & Strategy to use for every part of the 'Speaking' paper. ● How to use these strategies to effectively prepare yourself for the exam.
- 4. How To Fully Benefit ● Make sure you are in a quiet and comfortable learning environment. ● Write notes of important points as you watch the slides. ● Use a computer to effectively complete the practice exercises in the course.
- 5. How To Fully Benefit ● Use the strategy you learn during this course to complete a coursebook (recommendations on the next page). - When you finish the lesson about Part 1 of the exam, find some Part 1 exercises in a coursebook and complete them. ● During self study, practise using a pencil, writing in CAPITALS & time yourself
- 6. Coursebooks Ready For First coursebook: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/ includes important exam grammar and vocabulary with lots of exam exercises. Listening cd's = expensive :( FREE listening samples on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D5J7AjUEok Ready for First workbook is a cheaper alternative to the coursebook without grammar explanations but with a listening cd: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
- 8. General Exam Information There are four papers in the B2 First: FCE exam: Reading and Use of English - Part 1 - Multiple-choice cloze. Part 2 - Open cloze. Part 3 - Word formation. Part 4 - Key word transformations. Part 5 - Multiple Choice. Part 6 - Gapped Text. Part 7 - Multiple Matching. Listening - Part 1 - Multiple Choice. Part 2 – Sentence Completion. Part 3 - Multiple Matching. Part 4 – Multiple Choice. Writing - Part 1 – Essay. Part 2 - Review, article, report, email, letter. Speaking - Part 1 – Interview. Part 2 – Individually talking about photographs. Part 3 – Collaborative task. Part 4 – Further discussion.
- 9. •How long? •How many parts? •How many questions are there? Speaking Section Overview 15 minutes This section of the exam has 4 parts. No set number.
- 10. Speaking - Question Types Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic – with prompts Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3
- 11. Next Lesson Part 1 – Interview Quick tip: Speak as much as you can!!
- 13. Speaking - Question Types Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic – with prompts Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3
- 14. Speaking – Part 1 ● General Information About The Speaking Paper ● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 1 of the 'Speaking' paper
- 15. Part 1 – Interview
- 16. Part 1 – Interview ● How long? ● Individually? 2 minutes. So about 1 minute talking time each. No, you do it with 1 or 2 other candidates.
- 17. Part 1 – Interview In part 1 of the Speaking section, the examiner asks questions about you. These questions may be on topics such as:
- 18. Tips & Technique 1 Think of different questions related to the topics on the previous slide. Practice In 2 minutes write down as many questions related to the topics on the previous slide as you can. E.g. What do you like to do at the weekend?
- 19. Open the 'Cambridge English first 2015 sample paper 1' document from this website: https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf and look at page 79. Do you have any of the same questions? Practice
- 20. Tips & Technique 2 Prepare some answers to these questions when practising for the exam. Try to give as much detail as possible in your answers!! Practice 2 minutes: choose 1 question and write down your answers – expanding as much as possible!
- 21. Example How do you like to spend your evenings? I like to spend my evenings relaxing after work. My work is quite stressful and so when I get home I just want to put my feet up. I normally have a glass of wine and watch some tv.
- 22. Tips & Technique 3 Get a friend, teacher or someone you know to ask you these questions and practise answering them. Get them to give you feedback on how you can make the answers longer or better. Remember a good way to expand your answers is to ask yourself the question 'why'? 'Why do I think this?' 'Why did I say that'. Then you can answer these questions out loud. 'I think this because...' 'I said that because...'
- 23. Part 1 Homework Write some potential answers to the example questions in part 1. Think of your own questions for Part 1 and write answers to these. Find someone who can help you improve your answers.
- 25. Speaking - Question Types Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic – with prompts Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3
- 26. Speaking – Part 2 ● General Information About The Speaking Paper ● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 2 of the 'Speaking' paper
- 27. Part 2 – Long Turn
- 28. Part 2 – Long Turn ● How many photographs? ● How long do you need to talk about them? ● Do you do anything else? 2 Yes, you answer a question about your partner's photographs. You have about 30 seconds to talk about these. 1 minute
- 29. Tips & Technique 1 There is 1 question written above the photographs – try to focus on answering this – don't get distracted describing the photos! “Candidates are expected to point out similarities and differences between the photographs and then move on to deal with the question, answering it with reference to both photographs.” Teacher's Handbook page 72: https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/ 06/First.pdf Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1: https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/fi les/fce_speaking.pdf
- 30. Tips & Technique 2 It is important to compare the photographs as much as possible. Try to talk about the similarities and differences between the photographs. Mention one thing about one photograph and then compare the same point with the other photograph. Keep mentioning one point about one photograph and then one point about the other photograph.
- 31. Tips & Technique 3 Practise this with me, a friend, or someone you know. Tell them to give you 2 photographs, a question and time how long you talk for. The more you practise this beforehand the more confident you will be speaking continuously for one minute.
- 32. Open the 'Cambridge English Sample Paper 1' pdf and look at page 4. Write down what you could say.... Practice ● What are the people enjoying about spending time in these gardens? One difference is that the person in the top photograph is probably enjoying spending some time alone, whereas the people in the bottom photograph might be enjoying some time with their families or friends.
- 33. Tips & Technique 4 Remember to listen to what the other student says in the exam. Why? You will be asked a quick question about his/her photographs as well!
- 34. Tips & Technique 5 Think about some general topics beforehand which you can use for different photographs. For example, the advantages and disadvantages surrounding: Expense - £$ The environment Alone or in a group
- 35. Part 2 Homework Find at least two photos, think of a question to answer about them and practise talking about them for one minute with a friend, or someone you know.
- 37. Speaking - Question Types Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic – with prompts Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3
- 38. Lesson 5: Speaking Part 3 ●General Information About The Speaking section of the exam ●Tips, Technique & Practice for part 3 of the 'Speaking' paper
- 39. Part 3 – Collaborative Task
- 40. Part 3 – Collaborative Task How long? Individually? How many topics? How many discussion points? 2/3 minutes. So about 1 minute talking time each No, you do it with 1 or 2 other candidates 1 5
- 41. Part 3 – Example “Candidates can choose which prompts to discuss and are not expected to discuss all five prompts in the time available but should continue their discussion until asked to stop by the interlocutor”. Cambridge English Advanced Handbook for Teachers, page 72: https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/First.pdf Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1 p. 6: https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf
- 42. Tips & Technique 1 2 minutes is not long!! State your opinion say why ask Cambridge English First Handbook for Teachers p. 71: https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/F irst.pdf
- 43. Practice - Opinion Why Ask (OWA) Opinion Why Ask Write down some Opinion Justification and Question phrases I think... In my opinion... I believe that... Because... It's not the first time I've seen... as... Do you agree? What do you think? What's your opinion?
- 44. Example Open the 'Cambridge English first 2015 sample paper 1' document and look at page 6: https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf Write down what you could say about 'building holiday flats' using OWA. I think building holiday flats would attract more tourists because it will provide people with a place to stay when they come to visit and see the other attractions. Do you agree?
- 45. Tips & Technique 2 Moving to the next idea with key phrases. “Shall we move on to building a large nightclub...” “Let's talk about having more shops...” “What do you think about providing parks...” Think of some of your own phrases
- 46. Tips & Technique 3 Repeat tips 1 and 2 above
- 47. Example E.g. Paolo: “I think building a nightclub is best because it would attract lots of young people.” Sandra: “I think having more boutique shops would be better, particularly in older towns because classical architecture lends itself to a more specific type of tourist.” Paolo: “Hmm...that's a good point. But I still think building a nightclub is a better idea, especially if there is a university or college as well.” Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1, page 5: https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speakin g.pdf
- 48. Tips & Technique 5 You may need to ask your partner questions to get them talking more. E.g. Paolo: “I think building a nightclub is best because it would attract lots of young people.” Sandra: “I agree.” Paolo: “hmm...but what about having more shops, don't you think that could be a better idea?”
- 49. Part 3 Homework Design your own topic for Part 3, write down what you can say using OWA then practise with a friend.
- 51. Speaking - Question Types Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic – with prompts Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3
- 52. Speaking – Part 4 ● General Information About The Speaking Paper ● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 4 of the 'Speaking' paper
- 53. Part 4 – Further Discussion
- 54. Part 4 – Further Discussion ● What do you do in part 4? ● Can you respond to what your partner says? Questions about topics in part 3. Yes
- 55. Tips & Technique 1 You don't know the topic... So practise answering questions about varying topics with your friend/teacher. Practise giving long answers easy to follow answers. Practise agreeing or disagreeing with other people in a conversation.
- 56. Tips & Technique 2 Practise giving reasons for opinions. 'I think this because....' Ask yourself 'why' you think/say something. For example: Question: “do you think tourism is important for every town?” Answer: “I don't think tourism is important for every town” why? Reason for answer: “because, some towns function better as business centres and do not have the natural, historical and other attributes which typical tourist hotspots have.”
- 57. Tips & Technique 3 What you think and your opinions are not important! The language you use and how you structure your answers are important.
- 58. Tips & Technique 4 Ask the person you're practising with to state their opinion Say whether you agree or disagree. Give a reason why. E.g. 'I disagree with you because....' or 'I agree with you to some extent, but not entirely, because....'
- 59. Opinion This is a good question, well, I think that....(this also gives you time to think) I feel that..... It is my belief that... I tend to think that... Why Because evidence shows that... Because in my experience... As every time I.... Useful Language
- 60. Practice Get somebody to ask you questions. Focus on answering the question...giving reasons. Use the useful language on the previous slide... Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1, page 5: https://www.cambridge-exams .ch/sites/default/files/fce_spea king.pdf
- 61. Part 4 Homework Write questions associated to your topic in Part 3, write down answers with opinions (concentrate on the language you use) and practise saying them to a friend.
- 63. Congratulations If you have completed the slides so far – congratulations!!! You have made a great start on your journey to pass the FCE exam.... In this lesson I will tell you exactly what you need to do to completely prepare yourself in the best way!
- 64. FCE Preparation Next Steps 1. Learn an exam strategy If you have followed the slides above then you have already completed this stage for the 'Speaking' paper! If you found this course useful then I highly recommend my: Reading, Use of English, Listening and Writing courses - use these links to get them at a 67% discount!
- 65. Coursebooks 2. Use the strategy learnt in this course to complete a coursebook. Ready For First coursebook: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/ will focus you on the important grammar and vocabulary knowledge you need for the exam and will give you plenty of practice for all the exam exercises. (the listening cd's are very expensive, but you can find listening samples on youtube, e.g. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D5J7AjUEok) Here is a cheaper alternative to the coursebook without grammar explanations but with a listening cd: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
- 66. 3. Specifically target your weak areas of grammar. From my experience, students find the 'Use of English' section particularly difficult. FCE Preparation Next Steps For extra grammar practice this book is very good: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/ This book is also very good for grammar: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
- 67. 4. Measure your progress. It is important to practise with real tests, so you can judge whether or not you are ready to take the exam. You can do this in 2 ways: FCE Preparation Next Steps i) Book some lessons with me and I will tell you: http://studentlanguages.com/book-lessons/ *also for the speaking exam ii) Buy a practice test book. If you choose this option, I recommend this test book: http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/ *not for the speaking exam
- 68. If you've completed the steps above, measured your progress and are getting 60%+ in all sections of the exam....you are ready to book your exam!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE......... FCE Preparation Next Steps
- 69. 5. Book your exam! Most of my students do the exam in Cambridge, but there are lots of test centres around the world. If you want to do your exam in Cambridge, I use this website: http://www.cambridgeopencentre.org/asp_pages/examinations.asp Or You can use this website to find your nearest exam centre: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre/ FCE Preparation Next Steps
- 70. Show Your Appreciation I really hope you pass the exam and that you found all the information I have given useful. If you appreciate my work, feel free to: -Join one of my B2 First: FCE video courses. Use these links for 67% discounts: Reading, Use of English, Listening and Writing courses -Share my course and follow me on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. -Write to me – admin@studentlanguages.com (I always enjoy hearing your feedback & success – it helps me improve my materials) -Make a donation by clicking one of the donation buttons on my website: studentlanguages.com
- 71. Extra Resources!!! If you want more useful information, I really recommend checking out my Ultimate Guide to the FCE page: studentlanguages.com/prepare-first-certificate-online/ These pdf documents are also very useful for understanding the content of the exam and knowing what the examiners look for: https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06 /First.pdf https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/18131 0-first-information-for-candidates-.pdf
- 72. Extra Resources!!! -I post videos and useful information as often as I can on my website: studentlanguages.com and on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cambridgeenglishteacherrory/. -Send me a FCE writing task and if I have time I will mark it and give you feedback: questions@studentlanguages.com -For more examples, see: studentlanguages.com/fce-writing-examples/
- 73. References https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking. pdf https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/First.pdf If you would like to book live lessons with me, complete the form at: http://studentlanguages.com/book-lessons/