Speaking lessons and lesson stages often fail to provide purposeful input for the development of the speaking skill. Instead, the focus is too often on the activation of a target language point such as a lexical set or an item of grammar.

This workshop argues for the need to repurpose speaking stages which focus on speaking sub-skills as the way to improve our learners’ speaking proficiency. It begins by showing why language activation stages, which are critical for the learners’ acquisition of the target language, nevertheless should not be seen as a speaking segment (or for that matter as a writing segment).

It then shows how a basic understanding of the design of common speaking tests such as the Cambridge suite of General English exams can help us to understand what a speaking skills lesson and course may look like.

Finally, it proposes the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) as an invaluable tool for identifying level appropriate input for purposeful speaking skills development.

Presented by Neil Harris – Teacher Trainer & Director of Marketing @CELT Language School.

Our Masterclass workshops are typically delivered in 90 mins.

At Gallery Teachers, we endorse the philosophy of building on your previous knowledge and experience as opposed to just imparting knowledge on you. 

Therefore, in order to prepare you for the webinar and help you activate what you already know about the topic, we will suggest two to four reflective questions for you to consider before you join the event.

You will also be given the opportunity to post your reflections, along with any questions you may already have at the pre-watching stage, to the discussion forum. 

The reflective questions, as well as ideas and shared experiences posted to the forum by attendees, will be used in the real-time Q&A session in order to generate an engaging and meaningful discussion, involving the presenter and teachers from around the world. 

After the event, the forum discussion will take on a life of its own and teachers will be encouraged to continue posting their experiences, reflections and questions related to the topic of the webinar. So, if you feel strongly about the topic, we will make it possible for you to take the discussion beyond the scheduled workshop and continue sharing your ideas with like-minded teachers and teacher trainers from other countries