Academic Speaking Tests
What are academic speaking tests?
Academic speaking tests are similar to the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) speaking exam but follow a university-based narrative. These tests (or lessons) are designed for lower-level students (A2, B1, B2 level) to provide valuable speaking practice around the social English aspect of university life and study. The test is divided into four parts:
Academic Speaking Test Video
A basic overview of the speaking test with a practice activity
Video Worksheet – click here
Speaking Criteria – click here
Speaking Tests Download [new 2022]
Speaking Tests / Practice x5 [new 2022]
These academic speaking tests are similar to the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) speaking exam but follow a university-based narrative. These tests (or lessons) are designed for lower-level students (A2, B1, B2 level) to provide valuable speaking practice around the social English aspect of university life and study. Each test is divided into four parts; general topics, photograph comparison, a task and opinion based questions (see example). Level ***** [A2/B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Section 1 and 2
Section 1 (2 minutes)
- Section 1 is a general speaking activity. It focuses on two specific areas of general and university life. This is an individual activity and each student is asked a number of these questions over 2 minutes. Students should answer the questions and show development using examples.
Section 2 (2 minutes)
- Section 2 is a photograph comparison activity. It focuses on comparing and contrasting two photographs and answering a specific question. Students should describe each photograph using comparison and contrast language and answer the question all within 2 minutes. There are three sets of photographs.
See example worksheet: here
Section 3 and 4
Section 3 (4-5 minutes)
- Section 3 is a task-based activity. It focuses on discussing a range of ideas and collectively choosing the best one(s). Students work together and spend 5 minutes discussing the choices and evaluating their effectiveness. They then collectively decide which one(s) would be more appropriate and why.
Section 4 (4-5 minutes)
- Section 4 is an opinion-based activity. It focuses on answering a range of opinion-based questions around the topic of section 3. Students answer the questions individually presenting their opinion and developing their answers with clear examples.
See example worksheet: here
Speaking Marking Criteria
- Use the marking criteria on the back page of the lesson booklet to assess the students.
- Or use the Cambridge Assessing Speaking Performance – Level B2: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/168619-assessing-speaking-performance-at-level-b2.pdf
Speaking Tests [new 2022]
Speaking Tests / Practice x5 [new 2022]
These academic speaking tests are similar to the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) speaking exam but follow a university-based narrative. These tests (or lessons) are designed for lower-level students (A2, B1, B2 level) to provide valuable speaking practice around the social English aspect of university life and study. Each test is divided into four parts; general topics, photograph comparison, a task and opinion based questions (see example). Level ***** [A2/B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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More speaking lessons…
Speaking Cards
Seminar Speaking cards
This lesson has twelve seminar topics on a variety of topics. Put students into groups of four/five. Give out a card and students have 1 minute to plan what they will say. Students then discuss the question for 10 minutes [webpage]. Use the seminar assessment criteria here Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Seminar Signposting Language Game
Signposting Language in Seminars: Free Download
This lesson develops students’ awareness and ability to use signposting phrases in seminars. It begins by introducing a list of seminar phrases, practicing these phrases in groups and finishes with a kinaesthetic card game to activate the phrases learnt. Really fun lesson! [webpage] Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Seminar analysis and evaluation
Speaking Tasks – Analysis & Evaluation
This lessons includes six speaking task cards (halls of residence, speaking English, greener university, plagiarism, congestion, homelessness). In small groups students discuss the situation, analyse the key issues/areas and evaluate which are the most effective (see example). Level ***** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
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Independent learning
Independent Learning worksheet
This worksheet is based on four videos. Listen to the videos and take notes. Then use your notes to answer the questions and compare your answers to the key answers [webpage]. Example / Video Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Reflective student
The reflective student: reflection on study & goal setting [new 2020]
This is a seminar lesson to reflect on studying. It asks students to look at and examine the way they study and to identify possible areas that could be improved. It includes reflective questions, a 6-minute video on what SMART goals are and a SMART goal worksheet to set a goal(s) to be achieved (example) / Video [4.00] / MP3 / Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
