speaking skills: introducing yourself & your studies

IELTS Master Class

Speaking Skills:Introducing Yourself

& Your Studies

1

- Greeting the examiner- Introducing yourself

- Part 1: work & study- Q&A

Outline:

Aims

● Greet the examiner & begin the test

● Introduce yourself

● Develop answers to common Part 1 questions about

work, study, and your hometown

● Use appropriate tenses to give well-formed answers

● Use a range of fluency markers to help you tackle

unexpected questions and topics

By the end of this lesson,you will be able to:

2

3

Overview

Part 1: Set 2 + 3Introduction Part 1: Set 1

3 - 5 questions on one

of these topics:

● Work

● Study

● Home

● Hometown

3 - 5 questions on 2

further everyday topics:

● Hobbies

● Clothes

Some ‘unusual’ topics:

● Robots

● Flowers

What happens at

the start of the

Speaking Test?

A 5 minute face to face interview:

● Greet examiner

● Confirm name

& ID

● Begin Part 1

- 3 sets of 5

questions

4

Greeting the

examiner

Don’t:

- Ask questions

- Give extra

information

Do:

- Use contractions

- Speak clearly

- Smile & relax!

Of course. Here you are.

4. Can I see your ID?

I’m from Shenzhen.

3. Where are you from?

You can call me Hui Lin.

2. And what can I call you?

My full name’s Yang Hui Lin.

1. What’s your full name?

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

5

Common topics:

Work & study

In Part 1, you may be asked to talk about your work or study.

What questions might you be asked?

6

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

7

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m..

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

8

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering _______ at college.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

9

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering diploma at college.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

10

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering diploma at college. Once I _______,

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

11

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering diploma at college. Once I graduate,

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

12

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering diploma at college. Once I graduate, I hope to ________ my studies by completing a Masters degree.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

13

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

I’m a student.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Actually, I’m a student. I’m in the final year of an engineering diploma at college. Once I graduate, I hope to continue my studies by completing a Masters degree.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

14

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

15

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes..

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

16

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study too hard.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

17

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study too hard. We have a lot of ___________

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

18

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study too hard. We have a lot of assignments

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

19

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study too hard. We have a lot of assignments, and it can be difficult to complete them before the _______.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

20

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

Yes, I do.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

As a matter of fact, yes, sometimes I do feel like I have to study too hard. We have a lot of assignments, and it can be difficult to complete them before the deadline.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

21

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

22

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I _____ studying in the evening

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

23

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

24

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite _____ on TV.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

25

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite series on TV.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

26

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me _______

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

27

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me unwind

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

28

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me unwind and ________ my batteries.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

29

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

I like watching TV.

This is too short! How could you develop your answer?

Well, after I finish studying in the evening, I like to relax by watching some of my favourite series on TV. It helps me unwind and recharge my batteries.

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

Common topics:

Work & study

30

Practice!

We will now practice

the start of the

speaking test

- Introduction

- Part 1 Questions

(Work / Study)

4. Can I see your ID?

3. Where are you from?

2. And what can I call you?

1. What’s your full name?

31

Practice!

We will now practice

the start of the

speaking test

- Introduction

- Part 1 Questions

(Work / Study)

I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about yourself. Let’s talk about what you do.

Do you work, or are you a student?

Do you sometimes feel like you have to work too hard?

What do you like to do at the end of the day after you’ve finished studying?

32

Practice!

We will now practice

the start of the

speaking test

- Introduction

- Part 1 Questions

(Work / Study)

Do you enjoy your studies? (Why / why not?)

Do you get on well with your classmates?

What would you like to study in the future?

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

33

In Part 1, you may be asked to talk about your hometown or the place you live.

What questions might you be asked?

Common topics:

Home & hometown

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

34

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

traffic congestion

shopping centres

high rise apartments

good public transport

tourist attractions

easy to get around

chain stores local businesses

in the suburbs traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

35

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

traffic congestion

shopping centres

high rise apartments

good public transport

tourist attractions

easy to get around

chain stores local businesses

in the suburbs traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

36

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

shopping centres

high rise apartments

good public transport

easy to get around

chain stores local businesses

in the suburbs traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

37

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs traffic congestion

tourist attractions

shopping centres

high rise apartments

good public transport

easy to get around

chain stores local businesses

traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

38

Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

good public transport

easy to get around

chain stores local businesses

traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

Useful language

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

39

Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

easy to get around

high rise apartments

good public transport

chain stores local businesses

traditional festivals

residential areas

historic sites

Useful language

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

40

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

easy to get around

traditional festivals

high rise apartments

good public transport

chain stores local businesses

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

41

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

easy to get around

traditional festivals

good public transport

chain stores local businesses

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

42

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

good public transport

local businesses

residential areas

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

43

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

residential areas

good public transport

local businesses

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

44

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

residential areas

good public transport

local businesses

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

45

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

residential areas

local businesses

good public transport

historic sites

3 sets of questions

Questions about

you + familiar

topics

5 minutes

46

Useful language Match the words into the correct category:

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

residential areas

local businesses

good public transport

historic sites

What questions could you be asked each category?

Use these

collocations to

answer the

questions

47

Common topics:

Home & hometown

Let’s talk about your hometown.

1. Which town or city do you come from?2. What’s the best thing about living there?3. Is there anything you don’t like?4. Which places would you recommend a tourist to

visit?

Housing Shopping Transport Culture

in the suburbs shopping centres

traffic congestion

tourist attractions

high rise apartments

chain stores easy to get around

traditional festivals

residential areas

local businesses

good public transport

historic sites

48

Let’s talk about leisure activities.1. What’s your favourite leisure activity?

Which question(s)

ask about:

- the past?

- the present?

- the future?

- a length of time?

Which tense(s) will

you use in your

answer?

Question types

2. How long have you been doing this activity?

3. What did you enjoy doing in your free timewhen you were a child?

4. Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

49

Let’s talk about leisure activities. What’s your favourite leisure activity?

A: My most favourite leisure activity is basketball.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: My favourite leisure activity is basketball.

50

Let’s talk about leisure activities. What’s your favourite leisure activity?

A: My most favourite leisure activity is basketball.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: My favourite leisure activity is basketball.

51

How long have you been doing this activity?

A: I’ve been playing basketball for six years.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: I’ve been playing basketball since six years.

52

How long have you been doing this activity?

A: I’ve been playing basketball for six years.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: I’ve been playing basketball since six years.

53

What did you enjoy doing in your free time when you were a child?

A: When I were a child, I loved riding my bike and playing video games.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: When I was a child, I loved riding my bike and playing video games.

54

What did you enjoy doing in your free time when you were a child?

A: When I were a child, I loved riding my bike and playing video games.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: When I was a child, I loved riding my bike and playing video games.

55

Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

A: Yes, I’d like to learn a musical instrument.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: Yes, I like learning a musical instrument.

56

Do you think you’ll start a new hobby one day?

A: Yes, I’d like to learn a musical instrument.

Recognize the

type of question

Choose the

appropriate tense

Which answer is

correct?

Question types

B: Yes, I like learning a musical instrument.

You might be

asked about a

topic you’ve

never thought

about before

Don’t panic!

Use fluency

markers to ‘buy

time’

57

Unexpected topics

Let’s talk about flowers.

1. What’s your favourite type of flower?2. Have you ever given anyone flowers?3. Do flowers have any special meaning in your

country?

Hmm, that’s a good

question..

Well, I’d have to say

that..In my view..

I’ve never really thought

about that before, but I’d

say that..

Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

You might be

asked about a

topic you’ve

never thought

about before

Don’t panic!

Use fluency

markers to ‘buy

time’

58

Unexpected topics

Let’s talk about mirrors.

1. Do you often look at yourself in the mirror? Why / why not?

1. Do you think mirrors are a good way to decorate a house? Why / why not?

Hmm, that’s a good

question..

Well, I’d have to say

that..In my view..

I’ve never really thought

about that before, but I’d

say that..

Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

You might be

asked about a

topic you’ve

never thought

about before

Don’t panic!

Use fluency

markers to ‘buy

time’

59

Unexpected topics

Let’s talk about music.

1. Do you like music? Why / why not?2. What’s your favourite type of music?3. Do you think older and younger generations prefer different

types of music?4. Can you sing?

Hmm, that’s a good

question..

Well, I’d have to say

that..In my view..

I’ve never really thought

about that before, but I’d

say that..

Well, in my opinion, To tell you the truth,

Greet the examiner

60

Review

Develop your answers

for common topics

Recognise common

question types

Use fluency markers

to ‘buy time’

Record a two minute

talk on this topic

Use the structure &

example language to

help you

61

HomeworkIntroduce yourself and what you do.

You should say:

- who you are and where you live- what you are studying or doing at the moment- what you plan to study or work as in the future

and explain why you would like to do this work or study.

IELTS Master Class

Thank you!

Are there any questions?

62