CAE Speaking
Part 1 (Interview)
Tests ability to: use language for social purposes, e.g. making introductions, answering questions, stating an opinion.
This first section of the CAE Speaking exam lasts about three minutes (five minutes for groups of three) and gives the examiner the chance to find out a little about you and your partner through some ‘getting-to-know-you’ questions. These will be simple questions to help ‘break the ice’, for example questions about your family, your studies, where you come from or what your interests are.
Tips!
You’ll gain extra marks if you’re able to give full, relevant answers to these questions.
1) Offer more than the bare minimum in your answers.
Q: Tell me about where you come from.
A: I come from Bielefeld. (Don’t stop there!) It’s in the northern part of Germany. It’s a lovely place with a busy town and it’s also close to some nice countryside.
2) Avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers.
Q: Do you enjoy studying English?
A: Yes I do! I quite like studying languages and English in particular. I have a lot of English friends and love to be able to communicate with them in their own language. And I love being able to read English novels.
Q: Do you have any hobbies or interests?
A: No, not hobbies really. I used to like collecting things as a child but that doesn’t interest me now. I suppose you could say music is a big interest, I especially like listening to English bands.
3) Offer examples to help you explain a statement.
Q: Why are you preparing for the CAE exam?
A: Because it’s important for my job. As part of my appraisal, my boss advised me to take an English exam to help me develop my professional skills. I passed FCE last year and if I’m successful at CAE I’d like to try CPE.
Part 2 (Long Turn)
Tests ability to: speak at length coherently, use language to describe, compare and contrast, hypothesise and comment upon a topic.
Part 2 of the CAE Speaking test lasts about 4 minutes (six minutes for groups of three). Candidate A is passed a set of pictures and has to speak about the pictures without interruption, either from the examiner or their partner. When Candidate A has finished the examiner asks Candidate B to answer a brief question about the pictures. The roles are then reversed: Candidate B is given a different set of pictures and speaks for 1 minute followed by Candidate A, who answers a brief question about the pictures.
Tips!
1. The picture set will have a general theme but try to find two that are either very similar or very different in some way. This will give you a basis on which to compare and/or contrast the two pictures. In the example above, pictures two and three show two contrasting educational settings: the formal lecture theatre in picture two compared to the relaxed outdoor scene in picture three.
2. In terms of hypothesizing, pictures two and three offer a good opportunity to speculate on how students in each contrasting situation might be feeling. Think about opportunities for hypothesizing when choosing your pictures.
3. Signpost the end of your talk by adding a personal reaction to the pictures. For example:
‘The two people in picture three look like they’re enjoying themselves but personally, I think I’d prefer to spend my study time in a lecture theatre where I’d be more able to concentrate on learning’.
4. Many people preparing for the CAE oral exam worry about not having enough to say in the time available or not having enough time to express their ideas. The best way to get the timing right is to practise making short talks on various topics on your own. (Or in front of a friend if you’re feeling brave!)
Part 3: (Two-Way Discussion)
Tests ability to: use language to discuss and interpret, to agree, disagree or agree to disagree, negotiate and collaborate, to rank or classify.
In Part 3, candidates are given oral instructions and provided with written prompts to form the basis for two tasks which they carry put together. They are expected to discuss some or all of the prompts in relation to a question, expressing and justifying opinions, evaluating and speculating. They are then asked another question which will engage them in negotiating towards a decision related to the written prompts that they have previously discussed. The instructions for the first task will begin with the words ‘Here are some… and a question about them’.
The sheet with the written prompts and a central question will then be placed in front of the candidates. The candidates are given about 15 seconds to read the question and the prompts. This is made clear to the candidates with the instruction: ‘You now have some time to look at the task.’ The task gives candidates the opportunity to show their range of language and their ability to invite the opinions and ideas of their partner. Candidates are expected to share the interaction in this way and to initiate and respond appropriately.
After the candidates have discussed the question with relation to the prompts they will be given another task in which they are asked to make a decision. The instruction for this will be: ‘Now you have a minute to decide…’ The decision will be related to the prompts they have just been discussing. They are assessed on their ability to use the language of negotiation and collaboration while doing this. However they are not penalised if they fail to reach a negotiated decision. There is no right or wrong answer to the task.
Tips!
It will help both yourself and your partner if you work together collaboratively on this task.
1. Be prepared to ask your partner for his or her opinion rather than simply stating your own.
2. Listen ‘actively’ to what your partner says, responding to comments he or she makes. Use expressions such as the following to comment on something:
“That’s an interesting point.”
“I was interested in what you said about …”
“So, when you say …….., do you mean ……..?”
“Could you explain what you mean by …….?”
3. Use expressions to allow yourself time to think. For example: ‘That’s a good question.’, ‘Well, let me think …’
4. In order to bring the discussion to a constructive conclusion try using expressions such as the following:
“So, weighing up the pros and cons, do you think …?”
“Are we generally in agreement that …?”
“So, all in all do we feel …?”
“Essentially, do we all agree that …?”
“So, to sum up …”
“So, in general …”
“It seems we’ve reached the conclusion that …”
Part 4: (Three-Way Discussion)
Tests ability to: use language to summarise, report and explain decisions; develop a topic further.
In Part 4 of the CAE Speaking test, which lasts about four minutes (six for groups of three), the examiner will join the discussion and ask candidates questions related to the visuals used in Part 3.
Tips!
1. Again, avoid short, ‘yes’, ‘no’ answers to the examiner’s questions.
2. Use techniques to make your contributions powerful, for example by using short, personal anecdotes to help make a point.
3. Continue to work with your partner. Respond constructively and show interest in things he or she says.