Practise each task aloud before reading the model turn. These seven tasks cover the collaborative speaking chapter and rise in difficulty.
Tasks
Task 1. You start a discussion about choosing a class project: a recycling drive or a school garden. Open the discussion and bring your partner in.
Model turn
“Shall we start with the recycling drive? What do you think about it, Farah?”
Move shown: inviting. It names the topic, suggests a start and asks an open question. Self-check: did your question need more than “yes” or “no”?
Task 2. Your partner says, “I prefer the garden.” Reply by comparing the two projects on time and cost.
Model turn
“On time, the garden needs weekly care, whereas a recycling drive can finish in a month. On cost, the garden needs soil and seeds, but recycling bins are cheaper.”
Move shown: comparing. Self-check: did both options appear in each sentence?
Task 3. Your partner says, “We should hold the talent show on a weekday.” You think a weekend is better. Disagree politely.
Model turn
“I see why a weekday is easy to arrange, but I am worried some parents cannot attend because they work. What if we hold it on a Saturday morning?”
Move shown: polite disagreement with acknowledgement, concern and alternative.
Task 4. You have compared two ideas and your partner has shared a concern. Close the discussion.
Model turn
“So you like the garden because it lasts, and I like recycling because it is quick. Maybe we could start with a small garden and add a recycling corner. Does that work for you?”
Move shown: closing with summarise, propose and check.
Task 5. Your partner has not spoken for a minute. Bring them in.
Model turn
“Aiman, which of these ideas do you think students would enjoy most, and why?”
Move shown: inviting. It uses a name and asks for a reason.
Task 6. Your partner gives a long speech and then stops. Respond with a reason and a question.
Model turn
“That is a useful point about cost. I would add that a garden teaches responsibility, because students look after it each week. How would we arrange the care during the school holidays?”
Move shown: responding by adding a reason and moving forward with a question.
Task 7. Your partner says, “The library is the best place for our study group.” You prefer the classroom. Compare and disagree in one turn.
Model turn
“The library is quieter, but the classroom lets us use the whiteboard, so we can explain answers to each other. I see your point about noise, though, so what if we use the classroom and keep our voices low?”
Move shown: comparing and disagreeing politely together.
If a task felt hard
- Tasks 1 and 5 test inviting a partner into the discussion.
- Tasks 2 and 7 test comparing options with reasons.
- Tasks 3, 6 and 7 test responding and disagreeing politely.
- Task 4 tests reaching a joint conclusion without dominating.
You can rehearse aloud with the speaking rehearsal tool and log slips in the mistake log. For a teacher who acts as your partner, see online one-to-one English tuition.