This book is a superb all-in-one guide to success GCSE English Language and English Literature - GCSE English 2003

Speaking and Listening
Section Eleven — Speaking_ and Listening

For some lucky people, the speaking bit's great — but for everyone else it can be a nightmare. It's mi less scary if you've worked out what to say first — so make sure you learn everything in this section.

There are Three Main Categories of Practical Test

Any particular test you have to do will be assessed according to which category it is in.

Examiners are on the lookout for certain things in the speaking tests.

You've got to do these things if you want to get the marks:

Remember the CAP Rule When You Speak

Think about these things before you start any speaking practical — learn and remember them.

1) COURTESY — Be polite at all times, especially when other people ask questions, or when they're doing their tests.

If you're polite, they'll be on your side when you do your tests.

2) AUDIENCE — Adapt your speech to the audience. You'll be speaking to a big group, so you'll have to keep people's attention. Tell a joke, or use a visual aid to make your talk more interesting.

3) PURPOSE — Get your information across in an interesting way, as clearly as possible. Just keep it short, clear and to the point.

REMEMBER: CAP (Courtesy, Audience, Purpose)

Don’t panic about the speaking exam

It's only your best mark in each category that counts — you get more than one go. That's got to be reassuring. Just remember to breathe, and to speak slowly. It's too easy to rush when you're flustered.

Speaking and Listening

Use Standard English

Standard English isn't only useful when you're writing.

The examiner wants you to speak in standard English, so do it.

It doesn't mean you have to hide your accent — just speak clearly.

Don't use slang if you're giving a speech or a talk. You'll lose marks.

In a discussion it's OK to speak a bit more normally.

For more on Standard English, take a look at P. 99.

Make Your Talk Clear

1) Don't mumble into your collar. Speak up and look around the room while you're talking. That way you can at least be sure everyone can hear you.

2) Give your talk a clear structure. Don't just ramble on through a fog of disconnected points.

Writing notes will stop you from getting off the point of your talk.

Don't write out every single word you want to say — you'll end up reading out your notes.

Clearly spoken standard English is what you need

Learn everything in this section to be really sorted for your exam. It may not seem like a big section, but there are definite tricks you can learn in order to get good marks in your speaking exam.

Speaking and Listening

You might have to do a debate. Don't worry. If you stick to the debating rules, you'll get the marks.

Debates Argue For and Against a Motion

The subject to be debated is called the motion. Debates are always structured the same way:

1) The Chairperson then opens the debate to the Floor, which means anyone in the audience who wants to speak can put up their hand. The Chairperson can signal to them that they may speak.

2) All speakers address the Chairperson before they speak.

The Chairperson is the final authority while the debate is going on.

3) After a few minutes of Floor debate, the Chairperson asks the Opposer to sum up the case against the motion briefly.

The Proposer then sums up quickly too.

4) The Chairperson takes a final vote from the audience — people can vote for the motion, against it or abstain (don't know) — if a majority supports the motion it is passed.

5) If the vote is tied, then the Chairperson has a casting vote — deciding who wins.

Make sure you know how a debate is meant to work

The key thing is: you don't need to win the debate. The examiners only care whether you can argue well. So make sure you learn all those tricky procedures and know what's going to happen.