Academic speaking skills

Week 3/ March 2021

Oxford Upper-Intermediate 3D: Tutorials
Intended learning outcomes
• identify assumptions and checking techniques in questions
• prepare for and participate in a tutorial
Speaking: 3D Task 1

• Ensure you understand what is meant by interactive. Then, look at the

activities listed. Some are potentially more interactive than others.
Decide how much interaction there tends to be in each of them.
• Read the three theories concerning the affects of the Media on
audiences. Decide which one you most agree with, and write a short
paragraph stating your reasoning.
(to be submitted)
Speaking: 3D task 2

• Read the text and decide the author’s stance (position), 1, 2 or 3.

• Use information from the text to complete the table.
• Match the statements in 1.2 to the appropriate part of the model.
State whether your point of view has changed or remained the same.
(to be submitted)
Speaking: 3D tasks 3 & 4

• Both these tasks look at assumptions in questioning language. Read through

the Academic Language section (p.54) for an explanation of questions that
make assumptions.
• The key point is that questions with `who, what, where, when, why, how’
make assumptions about something, whereas others do not. Here’s an
example: if I asked `Did you have breakfast this morning?’ I am not assuming
that you had breakfast. If, however, I ask: `What did you have for breakfast?’,
then I’m assuming you actually had breakfast, when perhaps you stayed in
bed and missed it!
• Now, work through the tasks. If you cannot access the audio files, then you
should use the transcript in the back of the book.
(to be submitted)
Speaking 3D task 5

• You should work together with a partner to carry out this task
effectively. If you do not have access to the audio files, you should
read from the transcript in the back of the book.
• 1&2: Listen to the audio and decide the function of each question, i.e.,
is it asking for clarification, repetition or a definition?
• 3. Listen to the language used to respond and decide on its
effectiveness.

(to be submitted)
Speaking 3D tasks 6 & 7
(including classroom speaking practice)
• These tasks require you to organise yourselves in small groups. One of
you should be the tutor, while the others are the students.
• Follow the instructions in tasks 6 & 7 to prepare and carry out a
tutorial. The discussion should be prepared outside of class time.
• CLASSROOM SPEAKING PRACTICE: You will practise this activity with
your classroom tutor in Week 4.
Thank you for your attention. Any
questions?