Conversation - The English Cafe · Preparation leads to confidence You can know the type of conversation topic just from recognising the picture type. Plan around that topic. Monday,

How do you plan around topics?

ConversationBeing natural takes planning

Monday, July 1, 2013

Preparation leads to confidence

You can know the type of conversation topic just from recognising the picture type.

Plan around that topic.


O level Language Scheme

16 marks (Old Syllabus); 20 marks (New Syllabus)

intelligent personal response

expresses ideas clearly

uses a good range of vocabulary

shares new ideas

shows initiative


What is it?

They will examine the way you evaluate situations (yes/no/good/bad/why/how)

Issues of general interest (food, hobbies, travel)

Social issues (education, environment, politics, economics)


1. Cause and Effect


1. Cause and Effect

Topics: Environment, Transport, Health

Usually used to describe solutions to problems.

Words we can use:

results in; leads to; caused by ; a result of; due to

•Example Question: Do you think that we can do more for our environment?


1. Cause and Effect


2. General Statement, Clarify and Say how it works

Topics: Transport, Education, Celebration, Sports

Usually it involves a sequence of things or an evaluation of whether it is good or bad.

• Example Question: How does the government encourage sports in Singapore?


2. General Statement, Clarify and Say how it works


3. Say what it is, and why is it important

Topics: Culture, People, Daily Routines, About yourself, Charity, Food, Celebration, Morals (under category of People)

Words we can use: Anything related to the 5 senses, adjectives.

• Example Question: How important do you think is a zoo is to a country?

• Example Question: How do you normally spend your weekends?

• Example Question: Does your family celebrate the festivals of different cultures?


Say what it is, and why is it important


The three main methods

1. Cause and effect

2. General statement, clarify and say how it works.

3. Say what it is, and how is it important.


Sample Oral Exam Question

1. What is your view on protecting natural habitats and looking after wildlife?

To what extent do you think we are destroying nature?

Is it important to develop cities, even if this damages nature?


Elaboration: Key words to use

What is your view on protecting natural habitats and looking after wildlife?

Guidelines are needed to protect natural habitats and wildlife. This is because when protecting natural habitats is not protected by law and order, people will exploit nature whenever they like. Individual awareness is also important. Most of the time, people would not care if they do not have knowledge to care. So, I would teach people within my influence (my students) to care about the world they live in.


Key Words to Use

To what extent do we think we are destroying nature?

We are destroying nature bit by bit but we think we are still saving nature. Air quality is the worst thing that we are compromising.In fact, in the modern world we live in, crop growers, car owners and factories produce a lot a toxic gases. Too many waste goods are also produced with our affluent lifestyles. When we throw waste, we also choke up waters and kill potential animals and birds.


Sample Oral Exam Question

2. How does the weather affect life in Singapore?

What sort of weather do you prefer?

Are you concerned about ‘climate change’? Why or why not?


Extra Oral Exam questions

1. How can we help people in less fortunate countries?

2. What is your view on war and conflicts?

3. How do we celebrate culture in different countries?

4. Some people feel there is too much building going on and destroying the open spaces. What are your views?


1. How can we help people in less fortunate countries?

“Say what it is and why is it important” method

Why help is needed: war, natural disasters, poverty, unequal access to food

What: food aid, giving technological help to have better crops, teach them how to have better goods and services

When the strong help the poor, the poor also can help them by providing locations for lower costs of production.


2. What is your view on war and conflicts?

Why wars start: conflicts surrounding land, territorial occupation, disagreement over religious and other issues, lack of freedom

Why conflicts start: it can be over silly and inconsequential issues


Conversation - The English Cafe · Preparation leads to confidence You can know the type of conversation topic just from recognising the picture type. Plan around that topic. Monday,

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