Speakout
Speakout follows a balanced approach to topics, language development and skills work. Speaking activities are prominent, but not at the expense of the other core skills of reading, writing and listening, which are developed systematically throughout.
Speakout is a comprehensive English course that helps adult learners gain confidence in all skills areas using authentic materials from the BBC. With its wide range of support material, it meets the diverse needs of learners in a variety of teaching situations and helps bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.
Speakout Advanced
Moving from C1 to C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) involves reaching a near-native level of proficiency.
Speakout Upper Intermediate is for learners at the B2 proficiency level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Each lesson guides students to a ‘Can do’ goal in line with the Global Scale of English and Common European Framework ‘Can do’ statements.
Reaching the C2 level is a significant accomplishment, and achieving it often involves extensive exposure to authentic materials, regular practice, and a commitment to continuous improvement. It’s important to engage in a variety of language activities, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking, to maintain and enhance language skills.
What does the Advanced course cover?
- Comprehensive review of language concepts learned at previous levels.
- In-depth coverage of advanced grammatical structures, including complex tenses, conditionals, and reported speech.
- Introduction of advanced vocabulary related to diverse themes, including current affairs, literature, and academic subjects.
- Focus on idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, and nuanced language usage.
- Development of advanced conversational skills for sophisticated discussions, debates, and expressing nuanced opinions.
- Emphasis on advanced vocabulary usage and eloquent expression.
- Comprehensive coverage and practice of advanced grammatical structures, including complex tenses, reported speech, and conditional sentences.
- Consolidate and master the use of tenses, including perfect tenses, subjunctive mood, and advanced conditional structures.
- Strengthen grammatical accuracy and complexity.
- Develop a sophisticated writing style with attention to detail, coherence, and stylistic nuances.
- Enhancement of listening skills to understand a wide range of accents and spoken English in diverse contexts.
- Exposure to longer and more complex spoken passages, including authentic materials and lectures.
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend complex spoken passages.
- Reading and analyzing longer and more complex texts, including literature, articles, and essays.
- Development of critical reading skills, the ability to infer meaning, and analyze arguments.
- Writing advanced essays, reports, and research papers with a focus on structure, coherence, and critical analysis.
- Emphasis on developing a sophisticated writing style and expressing complex ideas.
- Development of language skills for professional and academic communication.
- Vocabulary and expressions relevant to business communication, negotiations, and formal presentations.
- Exploration of cultural aspects and societal issues in-depth.
- Discussions on cultural practices, global issues, and perspectives.
- Engagement in advanced interactive language activities, such as debates, discussions, and collaborative projects.
- Demonstration of leadership skills in group work.
- Application of language skills to real-life scenarios with a focus on complex situations, including professional communication, public speaking, and strategic problem-solving.
- Cultivate critical thinking skills in analyzing information, forming well-reasoned arguments, and evaluating perspectives.
- Develop advanced critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze complex issues.
What Grammar will I study?
- the continuous aspect
- describing habits
- hypothetical conditional: past
- verb patterns
- noun phrases
- relative clauses
- introductory it
- the perfect aspect
- modal verbs and related phrases
- the passive
- future forms
- -y adjectives
- prefixes
- multi-word verbs
- concession clauses
- cleft sentences
- participle clauses
- future in the past
- ellipsis and substitution
- tenses for unreal situations
- adverbials
- inversion
- comparative structures
What functions will I learn?
- speculating
- introducing opinions
- making a proposal
- expressing hypothetical preferences
- making a point
- describing cause and effect
- exchanging opinions
- discussing ideas
- ranting/raving
- negotiating
What vocabulary will I learn?
- phrases with name
- personality
- idioms for people
- images
- learning and experience
- metaphors
- collocations: opinions
- idioms of opinion
- landscapes
- city life
- crime collocations
- lexical chunks
- social issues
- decisions
- idioms: secrets
- truth or myth
- multi-word verbs
- journalism
- predictions
- language
- trends
- idioms: relaxing
- risk
- time expressions; proverbs
- memories
- collocations with time
- adjectives: the arts
- ideas
- express yourself
- ambition
- negotiation
/ʤ/ What pronunciation will I do?
- unstressed auxiliary verbs
- stressed/unstressed will/would
- connected speech: linking, elision
- double contractions
- word stress
- intonation for emphasis
- compound nouns/adjectives
- long/short vowels
- shifting stress: suffixes
- pauses and chunking
- stress patterns
- intonation: adding emphasis
- connected speech: elision
- stress: multi-word verbs
- intonation: appropriacy
- connected speech: auxiliary verbs
- intonation: concession clauses
- connected speech: swallowed sounds
- word stress: suffixes
- word stress: idioms
- word stress: phrases
- polite tone
- rhythm: proverbs
- connected speech
- irregular spellings
- pronunciation: ‘o’
- positive/negative intonation
- stress/unstress
- intonation: emphasis
- rhythm
- polite intonation
‘Can do’ statements for C1 Advanced
- I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programmes and films without too much effort.
- I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field.
- I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers.
- I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
- I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.
What are ‘can do’ statements?
‘Can do’ statements are descriptors that outline what learners can do at different proficiency levels in a language. These statements are often aligned with language proficiency frameworks such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
These ‘can do’ statements provide a guideline for learners and educators to assess language proficiency and set learning objectives. They help in understanding the practical abilities and skills that a learner should be able to demonstrate at each level.
What is the CEFR?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. This makes it easy for anyone involved in language teaching and testing, such as teachers or learners, to see the level of different qualifications. It also means that employers and educational institutions can easily compare our qualifications to other exams in their country.
What materials do I need?
One World Learning provide you with an online folder with your course material available for download. However, there are several essential requirements to ensure a smooth and effective learning experience.
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A personal computer or laptop with up-to-date hardware and software is necessary.
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Classes contain video and audio playback so a stable and high-speed internet connection is recommended for attending online classes.
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A webcam and microphone are essential for participating in virtual classes and discussions. Most computers come equipped with built in webcams and mics.
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Headphones or earphones can help reduce background noise and provide a better audio experience during online classes.
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Set up a dedicated and quiet study space where you can focus on your online classes without distractions.
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Have digital or physical note-taking tools ready. This could be a notebook, digital note-taking app, or any other method you find effective.