Speaking

 The Speaking test takes ~14 minutes and is conducted face-to-face with two candidates and two examiners. You interact with your partner, the examiner, or both. You are tested on fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and interaction.



Part Task Type What's in? Link to Understand
Part 1 Interview Conversation with the examiner. The examiner asks questions and you may have to give information about your interests, studies, career, etc. Watch
Part 2 Long turn The examiner gives you two photographs and asks you to talk about them. You have to speak for 1 minute without interruption and the interlocutor then asks the other candidate to comment on your photographs for about 30 seconds. The other candidate receives a different set of photographs and you have to listen and comment when they have finished speaking. The question you have to answer about your photographs is written at the top of the page to remind you what you should talk about. Watch
Part 3 Collaborative task Conversation with the other candidate. The examiner gives you some material and a task to do. You have to talk with the other candidate and make a decision. Watch
Part 4 Discussion Further discussion with the other candidate, guided by questions from the examiner, about the topics or issues raised in the task in Part 3. Watch

GENERAL SPEAKING TIPS

  • Speak confidently even if you make a small mistake — keep going!

  • Use fillers and natural phrases:

    • “That’s an interesting question…”

    • “Let me think for a moment…”

    • “In my opinion…” / “I suppose…” / “It depends...”

  • Listen actively to your partner. Don’t interrupt, but do respond and build on what they say.

  • Vary your grammar: use conditionals, comparatives, modals, passives.

  • Show a range of vocabulary, not just simple words like “nice,” “good,” “bad.”

Part 1: Interview

Tips & Tricks:

  • Give extended answers (not just “yes” or “no”).

  • Add extra information:

Q: Do you enjoy studying English?

A: Yes, I really do because it helps me communicate when I travel. I also enjoy learning new vocabulary through music and films.

TIP: Practice common topics like food, sports, future plans, family, and culture.

Link to Practice


Part 2: Long Turn – Picture Comparison

Tips & Tricks:

  • Use structure:

    • “In the first picture…” / “In the second one…”

    • “Both pictures show…” / “They are different because…”

    • “One similarity is…” / “Another difference is…”

  • Answer the question (e.g., Why might these people be doing this?) by speculating:

    • “They might be…” / “It could be…” / “Perhaps…”

TIP: Don’t describe every detail — focus on comparison + speculation

Link to Practice


Part 3: Collaborative Task

Tips & Tricks:

  • Use phrases for:

    • Suggesting: “Let’s talk about…”, “How about this one?”

    • Agreeing: “I totally agree with you.”, “That’s a good point.”

    • Disagreeing politely: “I see what you mean, but…”, “Maybe, although...”

    • Deciding: “So, should we choose…?”

TIP: Show that you are listening and building a conversation. Don’t dominate or stay silent.

Link to Practice


Part 4: Extended Discussion

Tips & Tricks:

  • Express opinions clearly:

“Personally, I think…"
“To be honest…”
“From my point of view…”

  • Support your ideas with reasons or examples.

  • If you disagree, be respectful and keep the conversation going.

TIP: Use more complex grammar and vocabulary here 

Link to Practice




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