Speaking: Role-plays and Conversation

Speaking Spanish with confidence

The speaking test can feel daunting, but it rewards a few habits you can practise until they are second nature. This module works through the speaking assessment: - The role-play: playing a set part in a given situation.\n- The conversation: talking more freely about topics you know.\n- Strong answers: giving opinions, adding reasons, and using connectives.\n- Keeping going: simple strategies for when you get stuck. Grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, translation and writing each have their own module. Here the focus is speaking, taught in English with a few safe Spanish phrases as examples.

Words for the speaking test

Five terms you need before you use them. Learn what each one means.

Match each Spanish phrase to its meaning

A role-play against a conversation

The two spoken tasks reward slightly different things. Knowing which is which helps you prepare for each.

How do you lift a short answer?

The examiner asks whether you like your town. Which answer is strongest?

• Give an opinion and add a reason, joined with a connective such as porque
• Answer with a single word and then stop
• Stay silent until the next question
• Change to English to be safe

Tap the two good speaking strategies

Tap the TWO strategies that help you in the speaking test.

• Extending an answer with a reason
• Using a filler to buy thinking time
• Answering only with yes or no
• Giving up when you forget a word

Keeping the conversation going

The examiner wants to hear you keep talking, so a few simple habits make a real difference when you get stuck. Always extend an answer with a reason or an example rather than stopping short. If you need a moment, use a short filler phrase to give yourself thinking time. If you forget a word, describe it in other words instead of falling silent. And aim to show range: bring in more than one tense, vary your vocabulary, and give opinions that you back up with a reason. These habits turn short replies into a lively, flowing exchange.

Pick the true facts about the speaking test

Select the TWO statements that are true.

• Extending your answers with reasons scores more highly
• A filler phrase can give you a moment to think
• Answering in single words shows the best Spanish
• Switching to English improves your mark

Order how to prepare for the speaking test

Put the steps of preparing for the speaking test in a sensible order.

• Learn the key phrases for common situations
• Prepare opinions with reasons on each topic
• Practise reacting to unexpected questions
• Rehearse using connectives and a range of tenses
• Record yourself and review how you sound

One question, a fuller answer

Follow how one learner turned a bare reply into a strong one.\n\nThe question: the examiner asked whether she liked her town.\n\nA weak answer: at first she just said yes, which gave the examiner nothing to work with.\n\nA fuller reply: she said, in Spanish, Me gusta mi ciudad porque hay muchas tiendas, giving a view and a reason joined by a linking word. Keeping going: when she could not recall a word, she used a short phrase to pause, then described the idea another way rather than stopping. The result was that one short question became a lively, developed answer that showed off her Spanish.

Complete the speaking test facts

A short spoken task where you play a part is a _____. The freer part where you discuss topics is the _____. A linking word such as porque is a _____. A short phrase that buys thinking time is a _____.

Build a spoken answer in Spanish

Choose the words that complete this strong spoken answer, which gives an opinion and a reason.

The Spanish speaking run

Five questions on the Spanish speaking test. Three lives.

Handle the speaking test

Read each situation and choose the best response, then think about why.

• The examiner asks a question that could be answered with just yes or no. What is the strongest response?
• You forget the Spanish word for something in the middle of a sentence. What is best?
• You want to show off your Spanish in the conversation. What helps most?

Explain how to do well in the Spanish speaking test

A friend is nervous about the Spanish speaking test. Explain how to do well, and include at least one short Spanish phrase as an example.

• Explain the two parts of the speaking test
• Explain how to lift a short answer into a strong one
• Explain one strategy for keeping the conversation going
• Give one example of an opinion with a reason in Spanish, such as me gusta mi ciudad porque hay muchas tiendas
• Finish by explaining why tenses and connectives matter