FCE Speaking Part Three task on language learning tasks and useful phrases
Do this collaborative task using the steps and language below.
Discuss something together for about three minutes:
People often have different priorities in their language learning. Here are some ideas for what your priorities could be:
- Grammar
- Listening
- Pronunciation
- Reading
- Speaking
- Vocabulary
- Writing
First talk to each other about how much of a priority each of the things are to you. Then choose the two which should be the greatest priority in this class.
Follow the stages below, using phrases like those given:
- Start by choosing one and discussing how much of a priority it is or isn’t
Useful phrases for starting the task
- “Shall we start with this one?”
- “Which one do you want to start with?”
- “It doesn’t really matter which one we start with, so how about this one/ the first one?”
- Move onto others
Useful phrases for quickly agreeing or disagreeing/ moving the discussion on
- “I don’t feel the same way, but I see what you mean. Anyway,…”
- “I don’t think we’ll ever agree on that, so…”
- “I feel (basically) the same way, so…”
- “We seem to agree on that one, so…”
- “Have we discussed…?”
- “How about…?”
- “Let’s skip that one then.”
- “Shall we move onto…?”
- “We still need to discuss…”
- “What about…?”
- “Which one should we discuss next?”
- Bring that stage to a close and move onto the deciding stage
Useful phrases for moving onto the deciding stage
- “We seem to be running out of time, so…”
- “Shall we rush through the last few?”
- “I don’t think we have time to discuss (all) the rest, so…”
- “What was the second question we had to discuss?”
- “What else do we have to discuss?”
- “I think we’re ready to decide.”
- Starting the deciding stage
Useful phrases for starting the deciding stage
- “From what you said, I guess you’d choose…”
- “I’d like to nominate…”
- “I think we can eliminate/ ignore…”
- “Definitely not…”
- Continuing the deciding stage
Useful phrases for continuing/ managing the deciding stage
- “We still need one more.”
- “What about the second one?”
- “It doesn’t seem we can agree on that one, so…”
- “Maybe we should move onto another one.”
- “If not that one, how do you feel about…?”
- Ending/ summarizing the deciding stage
Useful phrases for ending/ summarizing the deciding stage
- “So, we’ve decided on…”
- “I think that means we agree on…”
- “To recap,…”
- “What was the first one we decided on again?”
- Reporting what you decided (or not)
Useful phrases for reporting back to the teacher/ class
- “We have only decided on one, which is…”
- “We chose… because…”
- “We haven’t agreed yet, but…”
- “We couldn’t agree. I thought… but…”
When you have reported back, ask about any phrases above you aren’t sure about.
Brainstorming useful language for FCE Speaking Part Three
Try to remember or think of at least two phrases for each of the functions below, if possible using language which complex and/ or natural.
Useful phrases for starting the task
Useful phrases for quickly agreeing or disagreeing/ moving the discussion on
Useful phrases for moving onto the deciding stage
Useful phrases for starting the deciding stage
Useful phrases for continuing/ managing the deciding stage
Useful phrases for ending/ summarizing the deciding stage
Useful phrases for reporting back to the teacher/ class
Use the key words below to help.
Key words for FCE Speaking Part Three
Use these key words to help you with the brainstorming task.
Useful phrases for starting the task
shall
which
matter
Useful phrases for quickly agreeing or disagreeing/ moving the discussion on
anyway
ever
the same
so
discussed
how
skip
move
need
what
next
Useful phrases for moving onto the deciding stage
run out
rush
time
second
else
ready
Useful phrases for starting the deciding stage
you’d
nominate
eliminate/ ignore
definitely
Useful phrases for continuing/ managing the deciding stage
still
second
doesn’t seem
another
feel
Useful phrases for ending/ summarizing the deciding stage
decided
agree
recap
first
Useful phrases for reporting back to the teacher/ class
only
because
yet
couldn’t
Compare your phrases with those above. Many other phrases are possible, so please check if you wrote something different.
Test each other in groups of three:
- Read out sentences with the key words missing for the other people to complete
- Give key words and help your partners come up with suitable sentences
Sentences which aren’t on the original list may also be okay.
Change groups. Do the same speaking tasks, but with only the key words to help.
Change groups. Do the same speaking task, but with no help.
Brainstorm phrases for these other useful functions for B2 First Speaking.
Comparing and contrasting pictures
Speculating (e.g. on what pictures represent or what might be suitable)
Strong agreement
Weak agreement
Strong disagreement
Weak disagreement
Strong opinions
Weak opinions
Negotiating/ Suggesting compromise
Interrupting
Inviting the other person to speak
Mentioning which picture you are talking about
Talking around unknown vocabulary
Compare as a class.
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