When we have to interact with either a partner or the interlocutor in a speaking exam, we often find ourselves using the same expressions like “What do you think?” or “Do you agree with me?”. While these expressions are grammatically correct and do serve an important purpose in conversations, there are better, more creative ways of interacting with a speaking partner. Keep on reading to find a list of other expressions to improve your conversation skills!
Inviting Opinions:
In many speaking exercises, it is essential that you and your partner express your opinions on a matter, these are great ways to help your partner tell you theirs:
- "How do you feel about that?"
- "What's your perspective on this?"
- "Can you share your thoughts on this matter?"
- "I'd love to hear your opinion."
Seeking Agreement or Disagreement:
You also need to be able to show your ability to agree or disagree with your partner.This is where questions like these could come in handy:
- "Would you concur with that viewpoint?"
- "Do you see it the same way?"
- "How does that resonate with you?"
- "Are you in alignment with this idea?"
Encouraging Elaboration:
Sometimes a one word answer is simply not enough! Use these expressions to get a more elaborate response:
- "Can you elaborate on that?"
- "Could you explain your point further?"
- "I'd like to understand your reasoning better."
- "Can you provide more details on that?"
Prompting Discussion:
When the discussion about one topic is coming to an end, try to use these expressions to transition to another area of conversation:
- "What are your thoughts on this topic?"
- "How would you approach this issue?"
- "What's your take on this?"
- "Do you have any insights on this matter?"
Clarifying and Confirming:
Speaking unclearly can sometimes be an issue, especially when you are trying to wrap up the conversation. Give these ones a go to get confirmation on a topic:
- "Just to clarify, are you saying that...?"
- "So, if I understand correctly, you believe that...?"
- "Is it fair to say that you think...?"
- "Can we agree that...?"
Tag questions:
While using questions like these can be a great way to show your range of vocabulary and your clear communication skills, tag questions can help to boost your use of grammatical structures and speaking ability at the same time. Here are some examples of how you could use tag questions in a speaking exercise:
- “Spending more money on public transport could be a good idea, couldn’t it?”
- “Outdoor activities are a lot of fun, aren’t they?”
- “The weather isn’t great at the moment, is it?”
- “Protecting the environment has to be a priority, doesn’t it?”
So there are a few tips for improving your speaking and having better conversation skills for both the exam and also for real life situations. Partner interaction is an essential element of the speaking exam so don’t forget to practice it before the big day!
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