Do you want to have a B2 English certificate? Do you want to get into an English speaking university? Do you want to improve your job prospects? This course is designed to help you prepare yourself for the Cambridge English First (FCE) B2 level English exam. This is a globally recognised language exam – accepted by lots of education and work institutions around the world! In this course I give you all the best tips, techniques and resources to effectively prepare yourself for the B2 First Certificate: FCE Speaking paper. I go through each part of this paper giving you the best advice on how to answer the questions, so hopefully it won't be necessary for you to spend lots of extra money on lessons. There is no other course that I have found which focuses on and instructs you how to pass each section of this exam, using exam samples for practice exercises. This course allows you to concentrate specifically on what you need to do in order to pass the Speaking paper. The course comprises 75 slides with lots of useful information, tips, resources and practice exercises. Homework exercises are given. What you need to take this course: You should have a lower-intermediate (A2-B1) level of English It is better if you have a personal computer (pc) or laptop Who should take this course? Lower intermediate (A2-B1) level English students who would like to get into university. Lower intermediate (A2-B1) level English students who would like to get better jobs. Lower intermediate (A2-B1) level English students who would like to have more job opportunities. Any student who wants a B2 English language certificate! After taking this course: Students will have a much better understanding of the Cambridge English: First (FCE/B2 First) Certificate 'Speaking' paper structure. Students will know the best strategy to answer all the questions in the Cambridge English: First (FCE/B2 First) Certificate 'Speaking' paper. Students will be able to prepare themselves more effectively for the Cambridge English: First (FCE/B2 First) Certificate 'Speaking' Paper

2. Video Course
● There is a video course where native Cambridge English Teacher
Rory goes through every slide in this presentation and more. You can
access it for a 67% discount here.

3. What You Will Learn
● General format of the Cambridge English: First (FCE) Exam.
● Detailed format of the 'Speaking' paper.
● Tips, Technique & Strategy to use for every part of the 'Speaking'
paper.
● How to use these strategies to effectively prepare yourself for the
exam.

4. How To Fully Benefit
● Make sure you are in a quiet and comfortable learning environment.
● Write notes of important points as you watch the slides.
● Use a computer to effectively complete the practice exercises in the
course.

5. How To Fully Benefit
● Use the strategy you learn during this course to complete a
coursebook (recommendations on the next page).
- When you finish the lesson about Part 1 of the exam, find some Part 1
exercises in a coursebook and complete them.
● During self study, practise using a pencil, writing in CAPITALS & time
yourself

6. Coursebooks
Ready For First coursebook:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
includes important exam grammar and vocabulary with lots of exam
exercises. Listening cd's = expensive :(
FREE listening samples on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D5J7AjUEok
Ready for First workbook is a cheaper alternative to the
coursebook without grammar explanations but with a listening cd:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/

8. General Exam Information
There are four papers in the B2 First: FCE exam:
Reading and Use of English - Part 1 - Multiple-choice cloze. Part 2 - Open cloze.
Part 3 - Word formation. Part 4 - Key word transformations. Part 5 - Multiple
Choice. Part 6 - Gapped Text. Part 7 - Multiple Matching.
Listening - Part 1 - Multiple Choice. Part 2 – Sentence Completion. Part 3 -
Multiple Matching. Part 4 – Multiple Choice.
Writing - Part 1 – Essay. Part 2 - Review, article, report, email, letter.
Speaking - Part 1 – Interview. Part 2 – Individually talking about photographs.
Part 3 – Collaborative task. Part 4 – Further discussion.

9. •How long?
•How many parts?
•How many questions are there?
Speaking Section Overview
15 minutes
This section of the exam has 4 parts.
No set number.

10. Speaking - Question Types
Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family
Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs
Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic
– with prompts
Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3

11. Next Lesson
Part 1 – Interview
Quick tip: Speak as much as you can!!

13. Speaking - Question Types
Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family
Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs
Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic
– with prompts
Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3

14. Speaking – Part 1
● General Information About The Speaking Paper
● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 1 of the 'Speaking'
paper

15. Part 1 – Interview

16. Part 1 – Interview
● How long?
● Individually?
2 minutes. So about 1 minute talking time
each.
No, you do it with 1 or 2 other
candidates.

17. Part 1 – Interview
In part 1 of the Speaking section, the examiner asks questions about you. These
questions may be on topics such as:

18. Tips & Technique
1 Think of different questions related to the topics on the previous slide.
Practice
In 2 minutes write down as many questions related to the topics on the
previous slide as you can.
E.g. What do you like to do at the weekend?

19. Open the 'Cambridge English first 2015 sample paper 1' document from this website:
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf
and look at page 79.
Do you have any of the same questions?
Practice

20. Tips & Technique
2 Prepare some answers to these questions when practising for the
exam.
Try to give as much detail as possible in your answers!!
Practice
2 minutes: choose 1 question and write down your answers – expanding
as much as possible!

21. Example
How do you like to spend your evenings?
I like to spend my evenings relaxing after work. My work is quite stressful
and so when I get home I just want to put my feet up. I normally have a
glass of wine and watch some tv.

22. Tips & Technique
3 Get a friend, teacher or someone you know to ask you these questions
and practise answering them.
Get them to give you feedback on how you can make the answers longer
or better.
Remember a good way to expand your answers is to ask yourself the
question 'why'?
'Why do I think this?' 'Why did I say that'.
Then you can answer these questions out loud.
'I think this because...' 'I said that because...'

23. Part 1 Homework
Write some potential answers to the example questions in part 1.
Think of your own questions for Part 1 and write answers to these.
Find someone who can help you improve your answers.

25. Speaking - Question Types
Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family
Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs
Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic
– with prompts
Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3

26. Speaking – Part 2
● General Information About The Speaking Paper
● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 2 of the 'Speaking'
paper

27. Part 2 – Long Turn

28. Part 2 – Long Turn
● How many photographs?
● How long do you need to talk about them?
● Do you do anything else?
2
Yes, you answer a
question about your
partner's photographs.
You have about 30
seconds to talk about
these.
1 minute

29. Tips & Technique
1 There is 1 question written above the photographs – try to focus on answering
this – don't get distracted describing the photos!
“Candidates are expected to point out similarities
and differences between the photographs and then
move on to deal with the question, answering it
with reference to both photographs.” Teacher's
Handbook page 72:
https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/
06/First.pdf
Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1:
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/fi
les/fce_speaking.pdf

30. Tips & Technique
2 It is important to compare the photographs as much as possible.
Try to talk about the similarities and differences between the
photographs.
Mention one thing about one photograph and then compare the same
point with the other photograph.
Keep mentioning one point about one photograph and then one point
about the other photograph.

31. Tips & Technique
3 Practise this with me, a friend, or someone you know.
Tell them to give you 2 photographs, a question and time how long you
talk for.
The more you practise this beforehand the more confident you will be
speaking continuously for one minute.

32. Open the 'Cambridge English Sample Paper 1' pdf and look at page 4.
Write down what you could say....
Practice
● What are the people enjoying about spending time in these
gardens?
One difference is that
the person in the top
photograph is probably
enjoying spending some
time alone, whereas the
people in the bottom
photograph might be
enjoying some time with
their families or friends.

33. Tips & Technique
4 Remember to listen to what the other student says in the exam.
Why?
You will be asked a quick question about his/her photographs as well!

34. Tips & Technique
5 Think about some general topics beforehand which you can use for
different photographs. For example, the advantages and disadvantages
surrounding:
Expense - £$
The environment
Alone or in a group

35. Part 2 Homework
Find at least two photos, think of a question to answer about them and
practise talking about them for one minute with a friend, or someone you
know.

37. Speaking - Question Types
Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family
Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs
Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a
topic – with prompts
Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in part 3

38. Lesson 5: Speaking Part 3
●General Information About The Speaking section of the
exam
●Tips, Technique & Practice for part 3 of the 'Speaking'
paper

39. Part 3 – Collaborative Task

40. Part 3 – Collaborative Task
How long?
Individually?
How many topics?
How many discussion points?
2/3 minutes. So about 1 minute
talking time each
No, you do it with 1 or 2 other
candidates
1
5

41. Part 3 – Example
“Candidates can choose which prompts to discuss and are not expected to discuss all
five prompts in the time available but should continue their discussion until asked to
stop by the interlocutor”. Cambridge English Advanced Handbook for Teachers, page 72:
https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/First.pdf
Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1 p. 6:
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf

42. Tips & Technique
1 2 minutes is not long!!
State your opinion
say why
ask
Cambridge English First Handbook for Teachers p. 71:
https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/F
irst.pdf

43. Practice - Opinion Why Ask (OWA)
Opinion Why Ask
Write down some Opinion Justification and Question
phrases
I think...
In my
opinion...
I believe
that...
Because...
It's not the
first time I've
seen...
as...
Do you agree?
What do you think?
What's your
opinion?

44. Example
Open the 'Cambridge English first 2015 sample paper 1' document and look at page 6:
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.pdf
Write down what you could say about 'building holiday flats' using OWA.
I think building holiday flats would attract more tourists because it will provide people with a
place to stay when they come to visit and see the other attractions. Do you agree?

45. Tips & Technique
2 Moving to the next idea with key phrases.
“Shall we move on to building a large nightclub...”
“Let's talk about having more shops...”
“What do you think about providing parks...”
Think of some of your own phrases

46. Tips & Technique
3 Repeat tips 1 and 2 above

47. Example
E.g. Paolo: “I think building a nightclub
is best because it would attract lots of
young people.”
Sandra: “I think having more boutique
shops would be better, particularly in
older towns because classical
architecture lends itself to a more
specific type of tourist.”
Paolo: “Hmm...that's a good point. But I
still think building a nightclub is a
better idea, especially if there is a
university or college as well.”
Cambridge English First Sample Paper 1, page 5:
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speakin
g.pdf

48. Tips & Technique
5 You may need to ask your partner questions to get them talking more.
E.g. Paolo: “I think building a nightclub
is best because it would attract lots of
young people.”
Sandra: “I agree.”
Paolo: “hmm...but what about having
more shops, don't you think that
could be a better idea?”

49. Part 3 Homework
Design your own topic for Part 3, write down what you can say using
OWA then practise with a friend.

51. Speaking - Question Types
Part 1 - Interview – general questions about you & your family
Part 2 – Long turn - Individually talking about photographs
Part 3 – Collaborative task – talking with your partner about a topic
– with prompts
Part 4 – Discussion – A discussion related to the topics in
part 3

52. Speaking – Part 4
● General Information About The Speaking Paper
● Tips, Technique & Practice for Part 4 of the 'Speaking'
paper

53. Part 4 – Further Discussion

54. Part 4 – Further Discussion
● What do you do in part 4?
● Can you respond to what your partner says?
Questions about topics
in part 3.
Yes

55. Tips & Technique
1 You don't know the topic...
So practise answering questions about varying topics with your
friend/teacher.
Practise giving long answers easy to follow answers.
Practise agreeing or disagreeing with other people in a conversation.

56. Tips & Technique
2 Practise giving reasons for opinions. 'I think this because....'
Ask yourself 'why' you think/say something.
For example:
Question: “do you think tourism is important for every town?”
Answer: “I don't think tourism is important for every town”
why?
Reason for answer: “because, some towns function better as business centres
and do not have the natural, historical and other attributes which typical tourist
hotspots have.”

57. Tips & Technique
3 What you think and your opinions are not important!
The language you use and how you structure your answers are
important.

58. Tips & Technique
4 Ask the person you're practising with to state their opinion
Say whether you agree or disagree.
Give a reason why.
E.g. 'I disagree with you because....'
or
'I agree with you to some extent, but not entirely, because....'

59. Opinion
This is a good question, well, I think that....(this also gives you
time to think)
I feel that.....
It is my belief that...
I tend to think that...
Why
Because evidence shows that...
Because in my experience...
As every time I....
Useful Language

60. Practice
Get somebody to ask you questions.
Focus on answering the question...giving reasons.
Use the useful language on the previous slide...
Cambridge English
First Sample Paper 1,
page 5:
https://www.cambridge-exams
.ch/sites/default/files/fce_spea
king.pdf

61. Part 4 Homework
Write questions associated to your topic in Part 3, write down answers
with opinions (concentrate on the language you use) and practise saying
them to a friend.

63. Congratulations
If you have completed the slides so far – congratulations!!! You
have made a great start on your journey to pass the FCE exam....
In this lesson I will tell you exactly what you need to do to completely
prepare yourself in the best way!

64. FCE Preparation Next Steps
1. Learn an exam strategy
If you have followed the slides above then you have already completed
this stage for the 'Speaking' paper!
If you found this course useful then I highly recommend my: Reading,
Use of English, Listening and Writing courses - use these links to
get them at a 67% discount!

65. Coursebooks
2. Use the strategy learnt in this course to complete a coursebook.
Ready For First coursebook:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
will focus you on the important grammar and vocabulary knowledge you need for
the exam and will give you plenty of practice for all the exam exercises.
(the listening cd's are very expensive, but you can find listening samples on
youtube, e.g. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D5J7AjUEok)
Here is a cheaper alternative to the coursebook without grammar
explanations but with a listening cd:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/

66. 3. Specifically target your weak areas of grammar.
From my experience, students find the 'Use of English' section particularly difficult.
FCE Preparation Next Steps
For extra grammar practice this book is very good:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
This book is also very good for grammar:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/

67. 4. Measure your progress.
It is important to practise with real tests, so you can judge whether or not
you are ready to take the exam. You can do this in 2 ways:
FCE Preparation Next Steps
i) Book some lessons with me and I will tell you:
http://studentlanguages.com/book-lessons/
*also for the speaking exam
ii) Buy a practice test book. If you choose this option, I recommend this test book:
http://studentlanguages.com/b2-first-resources/
*not for the speaking exam

68. If you've completed the steps above, measured your progress and
are getting 60%+ in all sections of the exam....you are ready to book
your exam!!
YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE.........
FCE Preparation Next Steps

69. 5. Book your exam!
Most of my students do the exam in Cambridge, but there are lots of test centres
around the world.
If you want to do your exam in Cambridge, I use this website:
http://www.cambridgeopencentre.org/asp_pages/examinations.asp
Or
You can use this website to find your nearest exam centre:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre/
FCE Preparation Next Steps

70. Show Your Appreciation
I really hope you pass the exam and that you found all the information I
have given useful. If you appreciate my work, feel free to:
-Join one of my B2 First: FCE video courses. Use these links for 67%
discounts: Reading, Use of English, Listening and Writing courses
-Share my course and follow me on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter etc.
-Write to me – admin@studentlanguages.com (I always enjoy
hearing your feedback & success – it helps me improve my
materials)
-Make a donation by clicking one of the donation buttons on my
website: studentlanguages.com

71. Extra Resources!!!
If you want more useful information, I really recommend checking out
my Ultimate Guide to the FCE page:
studentlanguages.com/prepare-first-certificate-online/
These pdf documents are also very useful for understanding the
content of the exam and knowing what the examiners look for:
https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06
/First.pdf
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/18131
0-first-information-for-candidates-.pdf

72. Extra Resources!!!
-I post videos and useful information as often as I can on my
website: studentlanguages.com and on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/cambridgeenglishteacherrory/.
-Send me a FCE writing task and if I have time I will mark it and
give you feedback: questions@studentlanguages.com
-For more examples, see:
studentlanguages.com/fce-writing-examples/

73. References
https://www.cambridge-exams.ch/sites/default/files/fce_speaking.
pdf
https://shop.swiss-exams.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/First.pdf
If you would like to book live lessons with me, complete the form
at: http://studentlanguages.com/book-lessons/