monologues B1.2
SOME TIPS ABOUT HOW TO ORGANIZE THE MONOLOGUE
∙ Talk in sentences – don’t produce lists of items
∙ Organise your description – don’t talk about the same thing more than once
- Make sure you use connectors and linking words or phrases: although, in spite of, therefore, consequently, including, on the contrary, etc.
Review this in: Connectors
∙ Start with a general idea of the topic before going into details (I believe/think/guess the main topic is food because...)
∙ Give reasons for your ideas
- Try to use grammar structures appropriate to your level (for example, use some conditionals, passives, etc.).
- Talk about the vocabulary as well as the topic and relate to your own experience
∙ Give some personal reaction to the topic (It reminds me of/ when. It makes me think that. It comes to my mind...)
∙ Listen quietly when your partner answers the questions– don’t give help or comment.
Do:
Don’t:
Useful language for presentations
Explain what your presentation is about at the beginning:
I’m going to talk about ...
I’d like to talk about ...
The main focus of this presentation is ...
Use these expressions to order your ideas:
First of all, ...
Firstly, ...
Then, ...
Secondly, ...
Next, ...
Finally, ...
Lastly, ...
To sum up, ...
In conclusion, ...
Use these expressions to add more ideas from the same point of view:
In addition, ...
What’s more, ...
Also, ...
Added to this, ...
To introduce the opposite point of view you can use these words and expressions:
However, ...
On the other hand, ...
Then again, ...
- Use the planning time to prepare what you’re going to say.
- If you are allowed to have a note card, write short notes in point form.
- Use more formal language.
- Use short, simple sentences to express your ideas clearly.
- Pause from time to time and don’t speak too quickly. This allows the listener to understand your ideas. Include a short pause after each idea.
- Speak clearly and at the right volume.
- Have your notes ready in case you forget anything.
- Practise your presentation. If possible record yourself and listen to your presentation. If you can’t record yourself, ask a friend to listen to you. Does your friend understand you?
- Make your opinions very clear. Use expressions to give your opinion.
- Look at the people who are listening to you.
Don’t:
- Write out the whole presentation and learn every word by heart.
- Write out the whole presentation and read it aloud.
- Use very informal language.
- Only look at your note card. It’s important to look up at your listeners when you are speaking.
Useful language for presentations
Explain what your presentation is about at the beginning:
I’m going to talk about ...
I’d like to talk about ...
The main focus of this presentation is ...
Use these expressions to order your ideas:
First of all, ...
Firstly, ...
Then, ...
Secondly, ...
Next, ...
Finally, ...
Lastly, ...
To sum up, ...
In conclusion, ...
Use these expressions to add more ideas from the same point of view:
In addition, ...
What’s more, ...
Also, ...
Added to this, ...
To introduce the opposite point of view you can use these words and expressions:
However, ...
On the other hand, ...
Then again, ...
MONOLOGUES 2020-21
INTERNET
You are going to talk about the Internet.
- What do you use the Internet for?
- Are there any websites that you particularly like? Would you recommend them?
- What social networking sites do you know?
- What do you use them for? Do you like any of them? Why?
- Are online friends real friends?
- What does it mean if something is 'trending'?
- How has the internet changed people's lives?
- What do you use the Internet for?
- Are there any websites that you particularly like? Would you recommend them?
- What social networking sites do you know?
- What do you use them for? Do you like any of them? Why?
- Are online friends real friends?
- What does it mean if something is 'trending'?
- How has the internet changed people's lives?
A MEMORABLE MOMENT
Talk about a memorable moment in your life.
- When did it take place?
- Where?
- Who were you with?
- How did you feel?
- Why was it important in your life?
- When did it take place?
- Where?
- Who were you with?
- How did you feel?
- Why was it important in your life?
MEMORIES
Talk about your life now and when you were a teenager. Compare it.
- What gadget/s did you use that you don't use now?
- What gadget/s do you use every day?
- What for?
- Could you imagine your life without them?
- What gadget/s did you use that you don't use now?
- What gadget/s do you use every day?
- What for?
- Could you imagine your life without them?
HOLIDAYS
Talk about your next summer holidays.
Consider:
- People involved.
- Activities.
- Place(s).
- Travel details.
Consider:
- People involved.
- Activities.
- Place(s).
- Travel details.
INVENTIONS
Talk about the biggest invention in history.
- What is it? Describe it.
- Why was is/was it so important?
- How different would life be without it?
- Compare it with other inventions.
- What is it? Describe it.
- Why was is/was it so important?
- How different would life be without it?
- Compare it with other inventions.
AN IMPORTANT PERSON
Think about an important person in your life (a relative, a friend...)
- What is this person like?
- When did you meet him/her?
- Why is this person important in your life?
- What do/did you normally do together?
- Tell us about a moment you shared together in the past.
- What is this person like?
- When did you meet him/her?
- Why is this person important in your life?
- What do/did you normally do together?
- Tell us about a moment you shared together in the past.
TV PROGRAMMES
You are going to talk about TV.
- Which programmes or series do you normally watch?
- Which is your favourite?
- What is it about?
- Why do you like/ recommend it?
- Is there any programme that you can't stand? Why?
- Which programmes or series do you normally watch?
- Which is your favourite?
- What is it about?
- Why do you like/ recommend it?
- Is there any programme that you can't stand? Why?
ENVIRONMENT
You are going to talk about environment.
- Do you think your city is evironmentally-friendly?
- Talk about environmental problems in your city.
- Give examples.
- Say how you and the rest of citizens can help to solve/improve the problem.
- Do you think your city is evironmentally-friendly?
- Talk about environmental problems in your city.
- Give examples.
- Say how you and the rest of citizens can help to solve/improve the problem.
NEIGHBORHOOD AND CITY
Think about your neighborhood and city.
- Describe the facilities and activities you can do there.
- Is there anything that could be improved?
- Give examples and explain why they are necessary.
- Describe the facilities and activities you can do there.
- Is there anything that could be improved?
- Give examples and explain why they are necessary.
JOB AND PROFESSIONS
You are going to talk about your dream job.
- Talk about the qualifications, skills you should have.
- Timetable, salary, workplace.
- Is it your current job?
- Are you studying to get it?
- Explain your answers.
- Talk about the qualifications, skills you should have.
- Timetable, salary, workplace.
- Is it your current job?
- Are you studying to get it?
- Explain your answers.
FEELINGS
You usually listen to a radio programme called: 'Tell us about...' Today's topic is 'feelings', and the presenter is encouraging the listeners to call in and answer some questions:
- What makes you feel happy?
- When you are sad, what do you do to feel better?
- Give an example of a time you felt that way.
- What makes you feel happy?
- When you are sad, what do you do to feel better?
- Give an example of a time you felt that way.