Lang Cert - Speaking Part 1

Learning English
What are the advantages of learning English in an English-speaking country?
How important is it to have English-speaking friends to help you learn?
What advice would you give an English speaker who wanted to start learning your language?
How do you see yourself using English in the future?
Languages
• Which languages can you speak?
• Which countries would you like to visit and learn their languages?
• Do you think your first language is easy for people to learn? (Why?/Why not?)
• Why do you think so many people learn English?
Foreign language ability
• Why do you think it is important to speak a foreign language?
• Why do you think some people learn a language and then forget how to speak it?
• Which languages would you like to learn and why?
• How useful have you found speaking English when you travel?
Language
• How do you practise English outside the classroom?
• What do you find most difficult about learning a language?
• How will you use English in the future?
• What have you enjoyed most about learning English?

Friends
• How often do you go out with friends?
• Where did you meet some of the friends you have now?
• How do you keep in contact with friends when you are in different places?
• Why are friends so important to people?
Friendship
• Are you and your neighbours close friends?
• What for you are the characteristics of a true friend?
• Tell me about a time when you helped a friend.
• What advice would you give to someone who wants to make new friends?
Friendship
• What qualities do you look for in a good friend?
• Would you prefer a wide circle of friends or just a few close friends? Why?
• How can friends help you in times of difficulty?
• Can you tell me about ways friends have helped you?

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Relationships with other people
• Do you prefer to spend your free time with friends or family? (Why?)
• Are there any characteristics that most of your friends share?
• Tell me about a family celebration you enjoyed.
• How do you usually keep in touch with people who live far away from you?
Relationships
• What do you like most about your best friend?
• How do you keep in touch with people who live far away?
• What have you done with your friends recently?
• Who would you call in an emergency, friends or family?

Daily life
• What did you have for dinner last night?
• How much time do you spend with your friends?
• What do you usually do when you want to relax?
• What will you do when you get home today?
Leisure
• How much free time do you have?
• Which do you prefer, indoor or outdoor activities?
• Do you prefer spending your free time alone or with friends?
• Which is your favourite leisure activity?
Leisure facilities
• What leisure facilities do you and your friends use?
• What kinds of leisure facilities are there in your town?
• What leisure facilities are popular with older people?
• If you were responsible, what leisure facilities would you build in your area?
Making things
• What food do you like cooking?
• Have you made anything useful or decorative for your home?
• What things did you learn to make in your first years at school?
• Are you good at painting, drawing and other creative activities?
Playing games
• Which games did you use to play when you were little?
• How often do you do crosswords and other puzzles?
• Are there any games you like to play when you are alone?
• What do you think about computer games?
Photography
• A picture is worth a thousand words’. Why do some people believe this?
• What makes a photograph important to you?
• What do you do with the photos you take?
• What photographs do you have that are really special for you?
Reading
• Which newspapers or magazines do you read?
• Do you think books tell stories better than films?

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• What are you reading at present?
• Are there any books you would like to read in the future?
• Do you find reading a good way to relax? (Why?)
• What do you remember about the first books you read?
• Which newspapers or magazines do you usually read? (Why?)
• Do you think people will continue to read books in the future?
Music
• Why do different generations enjoy different types of music in your opinion?
• Is music a distraction for you or does it help you concentrate better? (Why?)
• Do you pay more attention to the lyrics or the tune of a song? (Why?)
• How does the music you listen to vary depending on your mood?
Internet
• How often do you use the internet?
• How do you use the internet to help you with your studies?
• Tell me about your favourite website.
• How often do you send emails?
Communication and Correspondence
• Have you ever written a letter? To whom?
• Do people of your age use the social media to communicate?
• What are the advantages of communicating via the internet?
• Do you think face-to-face or online conversations are more efficient? Why?
Sports
• Should all children do sports at school?
• Why do some people hate doing sports?
• Which extreme sport would you like to try? Why?
• Do you prefer team or individual sports? Why?
Sport
• What sport would you choose to do professionally and why?
• Why do you think professional sportspeople are paid so much money?
• How could we encourage children to do more sport?
• Why do you think people have always been interested in sport?
Holidays
• Where do you like to spend your holidays?
• How’s a typical day when on holidays?
• Do you like going camping?
• What is the best place you have ever been on holiday?
Travel
• Tell me about a beautiful place you have visited.
• Is there a place you would like to visit again? (Why?)
• What might persuade you to visit a new place?
• What environmental issues should people consider when choosing how to travel?
• How did you come here today?
• What type of holiday accommodation do you prefer?
• Which country would you like to visit and why?
• How is travel better now than it used to be?
• When you travel, what are your priorities when choosing accommodation?
• Do you think it is important to speak the language of the country you are visiting? (Why?)
• In What do you understand by ‘green travel’?
• Do you think travel broadens the mind? (Why?/ Why not?)
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Green travel
• What can we do to protect the environment while on holiday?
• Why do you think people believe that travel is bad for the planet?
• How do you think travel will change in the future?
• Which way of travelling would you choose, in order to be more environmentally-friendly?
Cinema
• What types of film do you enjoy watching?
• Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema?
• Is going to the cinema popular with people your age?
• What makes a film successful?
Television
• How much television do you watch in a week?
• What kinds of programmes do you like and dislike?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching television?
• What are a parent’s responsibilities regarding television?
Watching films
• What was the last film you watched?
• Do you have a favourite film actor or director? (Who?)
• What types of films do you like best?
• Are there any kinds of film you don’t enjoy watching? (Why?)
Fashion
• What’s better – being fashionable or having your own personal style?
• How do you think fashion will change in the future?
• To what extent do you agree that what you wear shows your personality?
• How has your fashion style changed since you were younger?
Clothes and fashion
• How important is it for you to follow fashion?
• What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
• Do you wear different clothes in different situations?
• Does your mood affect what you wear?
House and home
• Can you tell me about the area where you live?
• How long have you lived in your home?
• Can you tell me about your neighbours?
• What would you like to change about your town?
Furniture
• Is expensive furniture worth buying in your opinion?
• What type of furniture do you prefer – comfortable or stylish? Why?
• Do you think repairing old furniture is a good idea? Why/ Why not?
• Do you prefer modern or antique furniture? Why?
Personal comfort
• When do you feel most relaxed?
• Which is the most comfortable room in your house? (Why?)
• What sort of clothes do you wear for special occasions?
• What has been the most uncomfortable place you’ve been in?
Manners
• How important are good manners in the country where you live?
• Why do you think older people often complain about younger people’s manners?
• Who should be responsible for teaching manners to children in the future?
• Why do you think some people are impolite?
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The area where you live
• Describe the area where you live.
• What do you like or dislike about your area?
• What problems does your area have?
• What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
Buildings and rooms
• What important buildings are there in this area?
• Do you have a favourite room where you spend free time? What do you do there?
• Which buildings in the world would you most like to visit?
• Do you think the colours in a room are important? (Why?)
Public transport
• Why do you think some people pay lots of money to fly first class?
• What’s the best thing about public transport where you live?
• If you had a lot of money, how would you travel?
• What would improve public transport for you in your area?

Jobs and work

• Is there a job you would really like to try?
• Would you like to work in another country? Where?
• Does anyone in your family have a job that is very interesting?
• What kinds of work would you not like to do?
Education
• Can you tell me about the school system in your country?
• Are there any school subjects that you think schools should teach to all students?
• Do you think online education is better than traditional education? Why?/ Why not?
• In your opinion, which is the most important subject in a school curriculum? Why?
• What have you enjoyed most about your education so far?
• Which subject has been the hardest for you to understand?
• Where do you like to do your homework and why?
• What new skills would you like to learn in the future?
• Tell me about your first teacher.
• What would you like to study in the future? (Why?)
• What is/was your favourite subject at school? (Why?)
• How do you use the Internet to help you study?
Money management
• How good do you think you are at saving money?
• Generally, what luxuries do you spend your money on?
• How do you decide how to spend your money?
• How important is it to save money for the future?
Qualifications and examination
• What has been the most difficult examination you have taken?
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• Would you prefer to be tested through course work or by an examination?
• How do you plan to use your English language qualification?
• How successful in life can a person be if they don’t have any qualifications?

The future
What are you most looking forward to in the future?
Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic about the future? (Why?)
What job would you like to do in the future?
Dates, times and days
Which is your favourite time of day? (Why?)
How did you celebrate your last birthday?
Which dates in the year do your family celebrate?
Would you call yourself a morning or an evening person? (Why?)
Times of the year
• Which month of the year do you like best? Why?
• What is the busiest time of the year for you in your work/studies?
• Are there any months of the year you don’t like? Why?
• Which would be the best time of the year for someone to visit your home town?
Prospects
• What do you hope to be doing this time next year?
• Tell me something about your future plans regarding work.
• Are job prospects for your age group generally good where you live?
• Have you set any specific goals for the next three years?

Weather
• What's the weather like in your country in the summer?
• Which season do you prefer? Why?
• What kind of weather do you like best? Why?
• Is it useful to check the weather forecast before planning a vacation? Why/ Why not?
• What type of weather do you like best? (Why?)
• What is the nicest time of year in this country?
• What is the worst weather you have ever experienced?
• How do you find out about the weather forecast?
Climate and weather
• What is your favourite type of weather?
• Does the weather influence how you feel?
• How does the weather influence your everyday activities?
• What do you like doing when it rains?
Local environment
Do you prefer living in a busy or quiet area? (Why?)
What would your ideal area to live in be like?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in your home town?
Which places in the countryside would you recommend to a visitor to your area?
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Pollution
• Do you think pollution will get better or worse in the future? (Why?)
• Who should be responsible for reducing pollution?
• How much do you think an individual can help in the fight against pollution?
• What do you think is the best way to reduce the air pollution caused by excessive traffic?

Food and drink

• What are the traditional drinks in your country?
• Tell me about your favourite restaurant or coffee shop.
• Which is more important, the quality or price of food?
• Chips, cake and chocolate. Do you ever eat these?
Eating habits
• How healthy is the diet you follow?
• What do you think of fast food?
• How can school help you eat more healthily?
• Is there a type of food that you avoid eating?
• How important is it for families to eat together, in your opinion?
• Some companies conduct business discussions over meals. What do you think of this?
• Some people don't like trying out new tastes and flavours. What about you?
• Should governments try to influence people’s diets?
Health and fitness
• How often do you take physical exercise?
• Are there any things you don’t eat or drink because they are bad for you?
• How can schools help students to keep fit and healthy?
• Where can you go in this town to keep fit?
Organic food
• How easy is it to buy organic food in the area where you live?
• Why do some people believe that organic food is important for health?
• Why do you think some people are willing to pay more for organic food?
• Why do some people believe that food in the past was healthier than today?