Speaking and Listening Lets Get Prepared Early There

Speaking and Listening – Let’s Get Prepared Early There are 30 marks in total for speaking and listening: 10 for the individual presentation and 20 for the discussion which follows. PART 1 - Individual task A presentation, monologue or speech • Candidates talk for 3 -4 10 marks minutes on an agreed subject e. g. a celebrity as a role model. PART 2 - Discussion • Candidates discuss a wider issue with their teacher/examiner e. g. the lack of privacy given to celebrities by the media. • 20 marks (10 for speaking, 10 for listening)

POSSIBLE TOPICS: Sports/Hobbies • If you like Formula 1 you could talk about which team or driver you support and why. For the discussion you could consider the safety aspects of the sport such as car design, track layout and the rules set by the FIA. Favourite TV Programmes • If you have enjoyed a programme such as ‘Educating Cardiff’ you could talk about a particular episode first, then go on to discuss the use of cameras in the classroom and the effect these programmes can have on the teaching profession. Memorable Experiences • If you have been on a memorable holiday recently you could talk about that and then be prepared to answer questions on the place you visited and what you learnt or experienced whilst you were there.

Possible Topics continued Influential People • If you have a particular role model you could talk about that person then be prepared to answer questions on, for example, celebrity role models and whether or not their behaviour means that they should be held in such high esteem. Current Affairs • If you feel strongly about a current issue such as teenage pregnancy you could talk about this and then answer questions, taking into account all the possible different viewpoints on the subjects.

Preparation • Make bullet point notes about your topic. If necessary, research it further but do pick something you already have considerable knowledge of. • Practise your speech on your own and with friends or family. Try to avoid writing it out in full and learning it as this often results in a monotone presentation. • It tends to be obvious when someone has learnt a speech by heart and that isn’t appropriate for this assessment. Use cue cards instead to help remind you of the key ideas you wish to include.

Preparation Continued • Your teacher should know about your choice of topic before the test but they might not prepare questions in advance. Just like the first speech, the discussion should be spontaneous and fresh to achieve the highest marks. • Aim to use the best possible vocabulary you can, speak in Standard English and avoid slang as much as possible. • Practise finishing your sentences! Avoid phrases such as ‘and stuff like that, ’ finish what you want to stay; don’t make your listener guess!

Creating A Cue Card. . . • Once you have chosen your topic you want to be sure that you will be able to talk about it in enough detail. • Creating a cue card will mean that you will be reminded of key ideas but you can still talk naturally. • A Cue card is a prompt; they are not opportunities to write out your speech in full! YOU MUST NOT WRITE A SCRIPT! • you would lose marks as it would sound preprepared. It should appear spontaneous and ‘fresh’ for the highest marks.

Example Topic • Let’s take the topic of the television programme ‘Educating Essex/Cardiff’ as an example. • You could first create 3 -5 different sections to talk about. This will keep your speech moving on and stop you repeating yourself. Create more detailed notes then condense these into cue cards once you’re happy with the contents.

• Intro to the programme – started 2011, documentary, unobtrusive, real lives of teachers/students. • School is Passmores in Harlow. Not like scripted reality TV e. g. ‘The Only • Effect of the cameras? Are pupils playing up to them? Way is Essex’! Teachers and students Do teachers teach seem genuine in their actions and differently (better reactions. lessons? ) I think I’d • Example teacher e. g. Deputy Head Mr misbehave more if there Drew – a disciplinarian (example of were TV cameras in my him confiscating a hoodie), but also classes! 5 minutes of fame. very likeable (way he greets students, • Value of the programme – attention to detail, fair, wants the realise how challenging it is best for them etc. ). Lead into his work to be a teacher, might with Charlotte. . . make teen viewers behave • Example student – year 11 Charlotte – next time they’re in gets into trouble! Funny, cheeky, lack lessons? Gives parents of respect at times, missed out on the greater understanding of prom and regretted it. Typical teen? the pressures teaching Good student to focus on as lots of staff are under. current students can relate to her. Example

Example Cue Card 1. Educating Essex 2011 Passmores in Harlow Documentary, real live NOT scripted reality TV e. g. TOWIE Genuine actions/reactions 2. Mr. Drew – Deputy Head Disciplinarian – hoodie Likeable – fair, wants best for pupils Charlotte. . . 3. Charlotte – funny Trouble – cheeky, lack of respect Missed prom – regrets Typical teen so others relate 4. Cameras Playing up? Teachers – better lessons? Students – better or worse behaviour? (I’d be worse – FAME!) 5. Value Challenging to teach Might make viewers behave? Parental understanding

Top Tips • Keep calm! There is no need to panic or get nervous; you are talking about a subject you’re familiar with and your teacher will want to help you get the best marks possible. They won’t try to pose very difficult questions; their aim is to get you to show off your ability to speak during the discussion. • Everything will be recorded and the recording needs to run continuously so be prepared to continue, even if you make a mistake of some sort. It’s very normal to hesitate or rephrase something so don’t worry about that.

Gaining Top Marks in the Discussion • Listen Carefully! Let your teacher/assessor finish asking their question, don’t jump in even if you know what they are going to ask. Answer in detail; avoid one word/very short answers. • Use the best possible vocabulary! Even though you won’t have been able to plan this section as thoroughly, still think about your replies and the words/phrases you use. Use Standard English and avoid slang as much as possible. Always finish your sentences fully, avoid endings such as, ‘and stuff like that. ’

Gaining Top Marks in the Discussion • Be Critical! Evaluate others’ ideas if it’s appropriate. Don’t automatically agree or disagree with any suggestion, really think about it and be honest in your views. If you disagree, say so! Offering your own interpretation can be very valuable. • Be confident! You are talking about a familiar topic; your teacher/assessor is on your side so go for it!