FCE Speaking Questions for   Part 1: 

Here are some example topics: The internet is the best way to do your shopping. Young people under 15 shouldn’t use mobile phones. All young people should stay at school until they are 18. There shouldn’t be any advertising on TV during children’s programmes. Famous celebrities shouldn’t complain if the paparazzi take photos of them every day. It is the children’s responsibility to look after their parents when they get old. Dogs should be banned from cities.http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/speaking-exams/discussion#sthash.zishkv4i.dpuf

Everyday life• Do you live near the school? (How do you get to school?)• When do you usually do your homework? (Why?)• What things do you enjoy doing at home in the evening?• Does your family have a meal together in the evening? (What do you like to eat?)• What are you going to do this weekend?

School• What is your favourite subject? (Why do you like it?)• What is the best thing about your school? (Why?)• Tell us about one of your school friends.• What would you like to do when you finish school? (Why?)

Leisure time• How much time do you spend watching TV in a week? …… (Do you think that’s a lot?) ……(Why? / Why not?)• What sorts of books or magazines do you read? …… (Why do you like them?)• Who do you prefer to spend your free time with? …… (Why?)• Have you got any plans for this weekend? …… (What are you going to do?)

Past experiences• Have you done anything exciting this week? …… (Tell us about it.)• When was the last time you bought something really special? …… (What did you buy?) ……(Why did you like it?)• Have you been to a party recently? …… (Whose party was it?) ……. (What did you do?)• Where did you go for your last holidays? …… (Did you like it there?) …… (Why? / Why not?)

TeenagersWhat useful things do teenagers do?Are teenagers the same all over the world?Would you like your children to do the same things you did when you were a teenager?Are teenage years difficult?What do adults dislike about teenagers?What would the world be like if it was run by teenagers?What stages do teenagers go through in each of their teen years?Do you think parents look forward to their cute little children becoming teenagers?Why is it that teenagers want to rebel so much?What are the best and worst things about being a teenager?Do parents really understand teenagers?Do you think today’s teens are the same as teenagers 50 years ago?What impact do teenagers have on society?

Mobile PhonesWhat comes to mind when you hear the words ‘mobile telephone’?What was life like before mobile telephones came along?What would your life be like without your mobile telephone?Can you remember your first mobile telephone?Are you happy with the mobile telephone you have now? Why (not)?What are your favourite functions on mobile telephones?What new functions would you like to see on mobile telephones?Do you think mobile telephones are dangerous in any way?What is the ring tone on your mobile telephone and why did you choose it?Are other people’s mobile telephones annoying?How often do you use your mobile?Do you ever worry about other people listening to your mobile telephone conversations when you are in public?What interesting conversations have you heard on mobile telephones?What’s the best brand of mobile phone?What do you think of the Apple iPhone?What do you think of people who use their mobile telephone while driving?What would you do if your date spent more time on his/her mobile telephone than he/she spent talking to you?Do young people use mobile telephones too much?Do you think schools should ban mobile phones?From what age do you think children should have a mobile phone?http://www.esldiscussions.com/

Area where you live or used to live

1. Is there anything you would like to learn about your country?2. Which area of your country would you like to get to know better?3. What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited near ….?4. Could you tell me something about the area where you grew up?5. Could you describe your family home to me?

Sports

1. Are you interested in sport?2. Is there a sport you’d really like to try?3. What sports do people play most in your country?4. How much exercise do you take each week?5. Do you like to be physically active or do you prefer relaxing?

Leisure

1. How much TV do you watch in a week?2. Tell us about a TV programme you’ve seen recently?3. Do you have a favourite newspaper or magazine?4. What do you spend your time doing?5. Do you enjoy reading?6. What sort of books do you read?7. Does anyone you know have an interesting hobby?8. What’s the difference between reading the news in the newspaper and watching it on

TV?9. Who do you spend your free time with?10. Do you prefer to be outside or inside when you have free time?

Work and study

1. Do you find it easy to study where you live?2. Do you use the internet to learn new things?3. Do you prefer working on your own or with other people?4. What kind of work would you really like to do in the future?5. Are you happier doing mental or physical work?6. Can you remember your first English lessons?7. What do you think were the most important things you learned at primary school?8. Would you prefer to work for a big or small company?

Family and friends

1. Who do you spend your free time with2. Who are the most important people in your life?3. Do you and your friends share the same ideas?4. Tell me about your best friend?5. Do you normally go out with family or friends?

Travel and holidays

1. Have you ever used your English on holiday?2. Where would you really like to go on holiday in the future?3. Do you like to plan your holidays carefully or do you prefer to just go?4. How do you prefer to travel? by train or by plane?5. What’s public transport like in your country?

Entertainment

1. Do you ever go to concerts?2. Where do you like listening to music?3. Do you like going to the cinema?4. Do you enjoy playing computer games?5. Do you enjoy shopping?6. Do you like going to parties?

Daily life

1. How much time do you spend at home?2. Tell us about a day you’ve really enjoyed recently?3. Do you like cooking?4. What’s your favourite food?5. Have you got any plans for this weekend?6. What’s your favourite day of the week?7. Are you planning to do anything special this weekend?8. What’s your favourite part of the day?

A great follow-up activity is to get learners writing their own questions.

http://www.onlinetefltraining.com/50-fce-speaking-questions-for-part-1-the-interview/

Agreeing and disagreeing.

Do: Think about your opinion before the discussion starts. Say what you really think about the topic and explain why you think that. Listen to what your partner says and say if you agree or disagree. Make sure you know the language for agreeing and disagreeing. Be polite if you disagree. Ask your partner what he/she thinks. Use every second you are given to do the task. Finish the discussion by summarising what you have spoken about.

Don’t: Only give your own opinion but also respond to your partner. Worry if you don't agree with your partner. That's fine! Talk about things that are not relevant to the topic. Let the discussion stop. Keep it going!