Useful Phrases for the speaking exam

General Advice

• Asking for Clarification: “Could you repeat that, please?” or “Sorry, could I ask for some clarification on…?”
• Paraphrasing: If they can’t remember a specific word, encourage them to describe the word or use a synonym. For example, “It’s a place where you can borrow books… a library.”

Stage 2: Elicit Information

• Asking about Problems: “Can you tell me more about the problem?” or “What exactly is the issue with…?”
• Discussing Options: “What are the possible options we have?” or “Could we explore the options available?”

Stage 3: Present and Defend a Choice

• Presenting an Opinion: “In my opinion, the best option is…” or “I believe that we should…”
• Justifying a Decision: “This is because…” or “The reason for my choice is…”
• Discussing Disadvantages: “One potential drawback is…” or “However, a disadvantage might be…”

Stage 4: Discussion

• Sharing Personal Experiences: “From my own experience…” or “One time I…”
• Giving Reasons: “This is important because…” or “The reason why is…”
• Expressing Agreement or Disagreement: “I agree with that to some extent, however…” or “While I understand that point of view, I believe…”

Error Correction and Self-monitoring

• Self-correction: “I mean…” or “Sorry, what I wanted to say is…”
• Admitting a Memory Lapse: “I can’t remember the exact word, but it’s something that…”