B2 INTERACTION HOW TO APPROACH THE TASK

1. Exchange greetings with your partner

(Sorry/ Excuse me, what’s your name again?) (Sorry/Excuse me, could you
tell me your name again please?)
Hi Marta, how’s it going? I’m okay, and you?
2. Remind each other what you need to do here (present /contextualise
the task):
e.g. “So, we need to choose one of these pictures for our ....(magazine/
blog/article/school magazine/...).” (“Do you have any ideas/thoughts/
suggestions?”)
3. Talk about the meaning of each photograph and choose one for the
article.
(You can do both things at the same time, as it will be more natural: you can
discuss the pros and cons of each picture and whether it would be the best
choice. You do not need to wait until the end to then decide; that can be part
of the whole discussion and it will make it easier to integrate all the different
arguments made in your conversation)

• Explain what you think each picture represents in relation to the subject. Do not
describe the picture: “I can see a person working at home.” ---UNNECESSARY.
• Avoid describing the literal image rather than the concept: working from home /
teleworking as opposed to more traditional work environments or workplaces, an
office (...)
• Explain what is being portrayed / represented / referred to in each picture (the
concept) in order to discuss it:
• e.g. ‘This picture illustrates / represents an example of alternative therapies,
specifically acupuncture, whereas the third one shows...’
• Use topic-related language (target vocabulary) and be as specific as possible.
Avoid general / vague statements such as ‘you can… ‘ you should...’ Be specific
and look for more specific vocabulary based on the topic) e.g. ‘People
should...------ staff, employees, employers, teachers, students, learners, parents,
schoolchildren, youngsters…
 • Bear in mind that your own personal preferences on the subject might not be
relevant if they are not well argued or seem clearly relevant. (I like the second
picture*, what about you?*-vague, not argued properly)
4. Try to argue which picture you think is best to illustrate your topic. Explain
why the idea represented in that picture would be interesting for readers or
why the images are appealing (e.g. Colourful? Unusual? Will they make
people more aware of ...? What do you think will come to mind when readers
see that picture in particular? )
5. Do not just say, “If I had to choose one of these pictures, I would choose.
…”) You are expected to have a natural conversation on the topics
presented in the pictures and argue your opinions.
6. Turn-taking: try to be natural. Do not simply ask ‘what about you?’ after saying ‘I like
the second picture’, for example. At this level you are expected to elaborate on your ideas
and present them to the other person. For example:
• What are your thoughts on this?
• What picture is the best choice?
• Do you agree that picture would be adequate / a good choice /catchy /
representative enough? Do you think that picture would be appealing to our
readers?
• Would that picture have an impact on readers? / … the impact we want? /
be appealing enough?
•
• 7. Listen to each other and recapture what the other student has said (as we often
do in conversation) to make a logical / relevant contribution or suggestion.
•
• 8. Consider both the pros and cons of each picture, this will help you explore
the topic and argue your choice.
• 9. Remember to interact and exchange ideas. Ask about your partner’s ideas and
present your own arguments as well.
• 10. Try to start making a decision while there is still time left to explain your
reasons.
• If you agree with your partner’s ideas, explain why, even if you repeat your
partner’s ideas in your own words. (eficacia comunicativa, coherencia, turn-taking,
etc)
• If you agree on the same picture from the very beginning, you still need to discuss
the other two and their pros and cons.
• If your partner does not seem to have many ideas, ask what he or she thinks. If
he / she does not offer suggestions, suggest your own ideas and ask what your
partner thinks about them. That shows you can keep the conversation going
naturally.
• When you reach an agreement, a good way to end the conversation would be that
each person explains why it’s the best choice. Summarise your reasons in your own
words if you feel you have not explained them clearly.
• You may not reach an agreement in the end (which is fine) but if both of you have
strong reasons for disagreeing, make them clear in your conversation.

• ASK FOR CLARIFICATION. If you don’t understand what your

partner has said, ask for clarification: “Could you say that
again?” / What exactly do you mean by that? / ‘I’m afraid I don’t
understand, could you say that again?’
• When you respond to your partner’s ideas, don’t just say, “I see your point.” and
then automatically move on to something unrelated. ---ARGUE YOUR OPINIONS:
“I see your point because .…” -
• Also if you disagree, recapture what the other person has said: I can
see your point that… (X) but at the same time I think…

• Interrupt politely and redirect the conversation if your partner

monopolises the conversation,
• “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but ....(I think we need to make a
decision).”
• (… we haven’t discussed the third
picture. What do you think about it?)
• We’re running out of time and we still have to discuss the third
picture.
• I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think we need to move on to the
other pictures we haven’t discussed yet.