Speaking: Fluency & Coherence B1
Developing Longer Turns
Structuring a One-Minute Talk 🏗️
To speak for a longer turn, you need a clear structure. This helps you organize your ideas and helps your listener to follow. Let's look at a structured answer to the question: "Describe a place you have visited that you really liked."
"I'd like to talk about Kep province, on the coast of Cambodia. I really enjoyed it for a couple of reasons."
"The main reason I liked it was the peaceful atmosphere. By that, I mean it's very different from a busy city. For example, you can just sit by the sea and listen to the waves, which is very relaxing."
"Another thing I loved was the food, especially the fresh seafood. You can buy crabs directly from the market and have them cooked right there. I remember eating the most delicious crab with Kampot pepper."
"So, all in all, if you're looking for a beautiful, relaxing place with amazing food, I would definitely recommend visiting Kep."
How to Build Your Main Points: The P.E.E. Method 📝
A great way to build the main body of your talk is with the "P.E.E." method for each idea.
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PPoint
State your main point or idea. "Another thing I loved was the food."
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EExplain
Explain what you mean in more detail. "By that, I mean the seafood was incredibly fresh."
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EExample
Give a specific, personal example. "For example, I remember eating delicious crab with Kampot pepper."
Tips for Better Delivery
🎤 Pacing and Pausing
In a longer talk, your pacing (your speed of speaking) is very important.
- Slow down and pause when you introduce a new main point. This gives the listener time to follow your structure. (e.g., "The main reason I liked it was... [pause] ...the peaceful atmosphere.")
- You can speak a little faster when giving an exciting example.
Practice Your Talk 🎯
Activity 1: Deconstruct the Talk
Look at the model answer about Kep. Can you find the "P.E.E." structure in the two main body points?
(Answer: Yes. For Point 2, P=the food, E=fresh seafood, E=crab market example.)
Activity 2: Plan Your Talk
Work with a partner. Choose one of these topics: "Describe your favorite holiday" OR "Describe an important person in your life". Use the P.E.E. method to brainstorm two body points for your talk.
Activity 3: One-Minute Presentation
Using your notes from Activity 2, give a one-minute talk to your partner. Remember your introduction, two main points, and conclusion.
Key Phrases for Structuring a Talk
- I'd like to talk about... A formal phrase to introduce your topic.
- The main reason is... A phrase to introduce your most important point.
- By that, I mean... Use this to explain your previous point more clearly.
- I remember... A phrase to introduce a personal memory or example.
- All in all,... A phrase used to start a summary or conclusion.
- I would definitely recommend... Use this to give strong advice or a suggestion.
Your Fluency Mission ⭐
This week, your mission is to prepare and practice one short, structured talk.
Choose a topic you are passionate about (your favorite movie, your future dream, why your city is a great place to live). Use the P.E.E. method to structure your ideas. Practice it until you can speak for one full minute. Recording yourself on your phone is the best way to check your fluency, pacing, and structure.