Speaking and Listening

The Speaking and listening module is a large part of the controlled assessment for GCSE English Language. You need to know what to expect and how to prepare.

Speaking and Listening Skills

To do well in speaking and listening you need to show you can adapt the way you speak to different situations. These can range from a formal speech on your own to a dramatic group role-play. You also need to show you can listen. This means answering questions on a presentation or responding, as an actor, to classmates in a group discussion or role-play. The module will help you to practice speaking and listening skills needed beyond the classroom - for a job interview, for example.

This module is about coming up with the right information, in the right way, at the right time.

There are different kinds of tasks which you may be asked to do:

• Present - usually give a speech made on your own
• Discuss and listen - debate a topic as a pair or group
• Role-play - create a dramatic situation in a pair or group

You will need to demonstrate different types of skills through these tasks:

• Communicate and adapt language
• Interact with and respond to others
• Create and sustain a role

Non Verbal Communication

These tasks are not only about what you say. According to a famous Armenian psychologist called Albert Mehrabian spoken words account for only about 7 per cent of human communication. Our tone of voice counts for 38 per cent and over half (55 per cent) is based on how we look and act when we talk.

All speaking and listening tasks should therefore be planned and delivered using a simple process of ABC:

1. articulation
2. body language
3. content - planning what you want to say

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