Communicative aims

– Communicate facts, ideas, opinions and attitudes about a chosen topic sustained across a series of extended turns
– Maintain coherence and cohesion throughout the phase by organising the discourse
– Highlight significant points
– Paraphrase where necessary in order to maintain the discourse
– Engage the examiner in discussion of the topic
– Handle interruptions without undue effort by recapping and recovering
– Take control over an interaction
– Maintain discourse by asking for information and expanding on the responses obtained
– Develop the discussion by encouraging comment and opinion
– Take, keep, give up and offer turns when appropriate to do so
– Follow up on comments in order to develop the conversation
– In case of a breakdown in communication, use paraphrasing and circumlocution

 

Language functions

– Expressing assumptions, hypothesisng

– Paraphrasing

– Expressing abstract ideas

– Evaluating options

– Expressing regrets, wishes and hopes

– Evaluating past actions or courses of events

Grammar

– Mixed conditionals

– More complex forms of the passive with modals

– Should/must/might/could’ + perfect infinitive

– Verbs followed by gerund and/or infinitive, e.g. forget, stop, go on, remember

– Correct verb patterns after wish and hope

Lexis

– Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

– Hesitation fillers, e.g. I mean, you know

– Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

– Stock phrases to gain time for thought and keep the turn, e.g. well, let me think

– Phrases and expressions relating to the language functions listed above

– Dreams and nightmares

– Design

Phonology

– The correct pronunciation of vocabulary specific to the topic and subject areas

– Rising and falling intonation for keeping, giving up and offering turns

– Stress and rhythm to highlight and emphasise main points and ideas

– Intonation and pitch to convey attitude