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by Liam Norfolk
Introduction
Hello everyone! Welcome to our second blog post in our journey to mastering the Cambridge English Exams. This blog post is designed for students preparing for the Cambridge B1 preliminary exam and for teachers guiding them. At Get Set English, we are a small school with Big ideas ;-)
In our previous post, we explored Part 2 of the B1 speaking exam. I also shared a bit of Yorkshire slang with you - "AY-UP!" is our friendly (Yorshire) way of saying hello. And if you're up for some spooky fun, check out our "AY-UP!" GetSet Merch in our shop , just in time for Halloween!
Remember that in Part 2 of the speaking exam you have to describe a picture of people doing everyday things. There are some typical example pictures below.
In order to have lots to talk about in this part of the exam you need to remember these questions:
1. Where are the people?
2. What are they doing?
3. What are they wearing?
4. What do they look like?
5. How do they feel?
6. Do you like doing this?
7. Why or why not?
Memorising with "Picture This"
A good way of doing that is with my classroom game “Picture This” Which is a Visualisation technique for the Cambridge Preliminary B1 Speaking exam.
In this engaging exercise, we aim to improve your ability to describe a picture effectively. Here's how it works:
1. Setting the Scene
I instruct my students to close their eyes, immersing themselves in complete darkness. This step is crucial as it allows them to visualise a scenario from a blank canvas.
2. Imagining a New World
Suddenly, in their mind's eye, a brilliant beam of light appears, revealing a completely new environment. This could be anything - a busy city street, a serene countryside, or even a fantastical world. Students are limited only by their imagination in this visualisation technique for the Cambridge Preliminary B1 Speaking exam
3. The Key Question
Now, I ask them a pivotal question: "Where are you?" This isn't just about naming a place; it's about vividly picturing and mentally placing themselves in this imagined setting.
4. Describing the Scenario
Once they've told me their location, they start to narrate what they're doing in this imagined world. For instance, they might find themselves strolling along a sunny beach, feeling the warm sand beneath their feet. It's important that they repeat their answer to the first question before adding new details. As the exercise progresses we add more information, eventually answering each of the 7 questions.
5. Sharing and Connection
This is where the exercise truly comes alive. Students take turns sharing their imagined locations with the class. It's an opportunity for them to get creative and descriptive. From serene beaches to towering mountains, the range of responses is always entertaining.
6. Building Vocabulary and Descriptive Skills
While the exercise is about imagination, it also serves another purpose. It encourages students to dive deep into their vocabulary, exploring ways to express their thoughts in detail. As they share, they may find new words or expressions that add richness to their descriptions.
7. Adding Personal Touches
When it's my turn to share or to give an example, I often inject a personal touch. For example, I might place myself in Elland Road football stadium, the beloved home of Leeds United. This not only gives an idea of my interests (especially my passion for Leeds United!) but also helps students connect with me on a more human level. If you are a teacher reading this, students will often ask about your interests in class if they understand what your interests are. Maybe they have the same or similar interests too!
.... and if you are a student just to let you know that I really appreciate you making an effort to get to know me!
8. Encouraging Emotions and Preferences
After describing their location and activity, I prompt them to consider their feelings in this imagined scenario. Are they content, nervous, or perhaps a bit confused? It's vital that they repeat their earlier answers before sharing their emotions.
9. A Collective Experience
As students take turns, they not only exercise their imagination but also enrich their vocabulary when they listen to their classmates' descriptions. It's a collective learning experience that goes beyond the exercise itself.
10. Reflection and Memory Reinforcement
To conclude, I encourage students to reflect on the experience. They write down the questions we've explored and their responses. This serves as a reminder of the exercise and the questions they'll need to address when describing a picture in the exam.
If you'd like to hear a more detailed explanation of how this activity works please sign up to our subscribers list and we'll let you know when each new podcast becomes available!
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is key because it brings a lot of good things to our class. In the Visualisation technique for the Cambridge Preliminary B1 Speaking exam, when students share their answers with each other, it helps us imagine even more. Plus, we get to learn new words from each other. It's not just about saying where you are or what you look like. It's about painting a picture with words, using lots of different words to make our descriptions more interesting. This way, we all learn together and make our English even better! Remember, the more we talk and share, the more we learn. Keep it up, everyone!
Recording Your Practice
Recording yourself is like having a special friend to help you. When you listen back to what you said, you can hear how you sound. Maybe you notice some words are a bit tricky to say, or you forget to mention something important. That's okay! This is your chance to spot those little things and make them better. It's like practising to be really good at your favourite game before the big match!
Also, when you listen to yourself, it helps you feel more sure about speaking English. You get used to how your own voice sounds, which can make you feel more comfortable during the real exam. It's like becoming friends with a new game – the more you play, the more confident you become. So, don't be afraid to listen to yourself. It's like having a friend right there with you, cheering you on to do your best! Remember, it's all about getting better, not being perfect. Keep it up!
Conclusion and Looking Ahead
We hope you learnt something from this visualisation technique for the Cambridge Preliminary B1 Speaking exam. Remember, practice makes progress. Take time to review the questions and your responses. Soon, you'll be confidently describing pictures in the speaking exam.
In our next episode, we'll explore essential grammar for top marks in picture descriptions, along with a quirky technique we've dubbed PIPI CACA WUMP.
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