The second part of the LanguageCert speaking exam involves a series of conversations between the candidate and the interlocutor. These role plays can be based on many different settings and situations such as a conversation between two classmates or between a shop assistant and a customer. Because of this variety of different situations it is key to be ready for any situation so that you are more likely to get a good mark. Here are some tips and tricks to help you, good luck!
- Stay calm!
The thought of having a spontaneous conversation about an imaginary situation with a stranger might sound strange and nerve-racking but there is really no need to be worried! The role of the interlocutor is not to mark your output but to help you to speak and give you a push in the right direction. Just think of it as a conversation between a friend or family member and it will be fine! And remember that if you don't understand the situation, don’t be afraid to ask the interlocutor to repeat the introduction for you.
- Think about past experiences
Many of the situations involved in part 2 are often experienced by most people in their daily lives. From talking with a teacher or organising parties with friends, we can all lean on our past social encounters to find ways to navigate the situation fluidly and successfully. So whether you complained to a waiter at a restaurant or had to explain to your teacher why you were late, these are great expressions that you can think about and add to your speaking abilities.
- Find a partner to practise with.
You can’t have a conversation with yourself so find a friend or family member to practise with you! It would be better to work with someone or many people who are also in the same situation as you so that you can all benefit from this experience. There are many speaking resources on the LanguageCert website but if you want more then check out the role play worksheet with a range of situations to get you started!
- Understand the relationship between the speakers
Think about who is in this conversation. Is it an employee and their boss? or perhaps it’s two friends. Different situations will involve different registers and levels of formality. For formal interactions like with a teacher or your employer, you will need to use a much more formal and respectful tone. On the other hand, those with friends, classmates or colleagues where the relationship is much more casual, you are free to use more informal structures such as colloquial language and phrasal verbs. Grasping the register of the conversation will greatly help to boost your mark so make sure you use the correct tone for each situation.
- Interact and ask questions
Don’t forget that this isn’t a monologue, it’s a two-way conversation and you need to interact and maintain this conversation too. Using expressions like “How about you?” or tag questions such as “8 o’clock is a good time for a party, isn’t it?” can help to change a mark from okay to great!
- Avoid short one-word responses
As well as asking questions, speaking accurately and with a variety of vocabulary and structures is equally important. Try to avoid cold responses such as “yes” or “no” and try to respond in a more natural and detailed way. Don’t forget that this part is a great opportunity to demonstrate your ability to produce and have a conversation in English so don’t waste it!
Speaking exams can be stressful but if you follow these tips, this part should feel much less daunting and a lot more natural for you. As well as checking out the speaking worksheet, another great way to prepare for the exam is to sign up for an online English course. If you’re eager to level up your English or are preparing for an official exam, then check out the wide range of options on the DAWAY website and apply the code BLOG20 for a 20% discount on all courses. Happy studying and good luck with your exams!
