Cambridge speaking

PART 1
I'm speaking English for my own satisfaction / my job / in order to improve my employment
prospects.
If you want to go ahead these days, you need to have a good command of English.

However, there's no place like home.

That's a big question!
I want to be a useful member of society.
I'm keen on ...
I'm an avid traveler
I haven't given it much thought until now.

PART 2
what strikes me about the first picture is the fact that...
This picture reminds me of...
Judging from the photograph, the children...
This man appears to be...
From what I can see here, he must...
There are many similarities...
Both pictures depict / portray / show ...
Both pictures are quite similar in that they show...

The first picture ... whereas the other picture ...

Another important difference is...
The first picture doesn't show ... as clearly as ...
This picture ... attempts to ... but I think this other picture does it more effectively...
All pictures are interesting, but the first one gives a stronger idea of...

It's difficult to tell from a photograph but this picture could have been taken in ...
I might be wrong, but I'd say that this picture ...
I would imagine/guess that this picture comes from ...

This picture is by far the best example of…

To me, this is essential for this kind of…
1.
I'm surprised there is not a picture showing...
A picture of ... would get the message across more effectively.
The picture would be so much better if we had a...

PART 3

Ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simply stating your own.

a. What do you think about that?

b. Do you agree with me?
c. Are we both on the same page?
d. How do you feel about…?
e. Where do you stand on….
f. Are you aware of…?
g. What do you reckon?
h. What’s your opinion about…?
i. Do you agree with…?
j. What are you feelings about… ?
k. Have you got any particular reason?
l. Could you tell me why?

2. Listen to what your partner says and respond to comments.

a. That’s an interesting point
b. I am interested in what you said about…
c. So, when you say…., do you mean…?
d. Could you explain what you mean by….?
e. Don’t you think that … could also be…
f. I couldn’t agree more
g. That may be true but I still believe that…
h. I’m sure about that
i. I think that’s a fantastic idea
j. What I hear you saying is…
k. I see your point
l. I totally agree with you however….
m. I know what you mean..
n. Yes, I agree with…
o. I think so
p. That’s a great idea.
q. That’s just what I was thinking
r. Perhaps, but what about…
s. I think I’d rather…

t.
3. Use expressions to allow yourself time to think.
 a. Well, let me think…
b. That’s a good question…
c. I’m glad you brought that up…
d. In my humble opinion…
e. Shall we continue with…
f. From my point of view…
g. As far as I’m concerned…

4. Bring the discussion to a conclusion.

a. So, weighing up the pros and cons, do you think…?
b. Are you in agreement that…?
c. All in all, do we feel…?
d. Essentially, do we all agree that…?
e. To sum up…
f. It seems we have reached the conclusion that…
g. To conclude
h. For these reasons
i. Finally,
j. To sum up
k. In conclusion
l. As far as I’m concerned
m. After all this, it’s certain that…
n. Can you take a clear stand on that matter?
o. It brings to the question / idea / problem of ...

PART 4
Just following from what X was saying, I also feel ...
While generally agreeing with X, I must say that ...
Adding to what X has just said, I think ...
I can sympathize with what X said but ...
One thing X didn't mention is ...
Perhaps it should be also emphasized that ... / it should be pointed out that ...