B1 SPEAKING: Dialogues

DIALOGUES

 The dialogue consists of different parts:

1) Introduction:  greet each other and outline the point, topic, etc to be developed, discussed...

2) Body: interact with your partner in order to fulfil the task. This part involves distinct communicative functions according to the task of your speaking card, such as: giving opinions, persuading, negotiating, agreeing, disagreeing, suggesting, clarifying, planning, etc.

3) Conclusion: put an end to the task and say goodbye. Follow the instructions in your card in order to reach an agreement, if stated explicitly.

TIPS

• Highlight your feelings with the suitable intonation and rhythm

• Body language and facial gestures help to convey emotions. Look at each other while talking

• Try to balance your speaking turns

• The interaction needs to be dynamic and not a sequence of monologues. To this end, interrupt your partner softly, give feedback, ask and answer questions and so on

• Use as much grammar and vocabulary suited to level as possible, but in a relevant and appropriate way

• Perform the role that is set in your card 

• Register tends to be informal, or even colloquial (between friends, family and teenagers). That's why this is an excellent opportunity to add idioms, phrasal verbs and exclamations.                                                             They could also be neutral (shopping) or more formal, for instance when the situation is a debate in an institution or a business meeting. Make a picture of the situation in your mind after reading the rubric carefully

• In your prep time make notes of the useful vocabulary and grammar you may need, avoiding complete phrases 

• Practise with your examination partner out of class with the aim of developing mutual understanding and some tricks to help you in awkward situations at the exam

• Controlling the time on the screen at the examination helps to implement the three parts of the dialogue

SAMPLE