Speaking Checklist

Question 1

Speaking Checklist

Answer 1

1. Are my templates mastered without grammatical error?
   Step 1: Review the templates using the videos in Step Two of your system.
   Step 2: Review the templates by creating flash cards for each question type.
   Step 3: Master by working through each question with perfect templates.
   Step 4: Record and check your template, line-by-line.
2. Do I follow a strict timing strategy throughout and do I finish with 2-0 seconds remaining?
   Step 1: Review time management in Step Three.
   Step 2: Chart the timing breakdowns on flashcards so that you have a quick point of reference when you study.
   Step 3: Time yourself and practice looking at the clock 3-4 times per response.
3. Do I know and strictly use my “magic number”?
   Step 1: Review time management in Step Three.
   Step 2: Identify your “magic number” by recording yourself and counting the number of lines you can deliver within 60 seconds (it should be comfortable, not stressful–this is not a race to provide as much detail as you can).
   Step 3: Try numbering your notes as you practice keeping yourself on track.
   Step 4: Adjust your “magic number” when necessary. It may not remain constant as you improve.
4. Do I speak quickly enough or too quickly (120 words for questions 1 & 2, and 160 words for questions 3 though 6)?
   Step 1: Review the increasing speed section of Step Three.
   Step 2: Record and transcribe your responses; take a word count and monitor that number.
   Step 3: Work on the speed activity.
   Step 4: When you’re speaking too quickly, this can also be a problem that can destroy a score. Work on pacing yourself (Again, this is not a race to provide as much detail as you can).
5. Do I speak fluently and smoothly (fewer than 3 pauses in speech)?
   Step 1: Review the speaking smoothly section of Step Three.
   Step 2: Record your responses; count the number of pauses in your speech (this could be “umms”, “uhhs”, filler words like “like,” or complete silence).
   Step 3: Work on speaking smoothly activity.
   Step 4: Use your finger to guide you through your notes.
   Step 5: Refer to your notes to see if the notes are creating the pauses.
   Step 6: Practice breathing between sentences rather than in the middle of them.
6. Do I speak with energy, power, rhythm, and emotion?
   Step 1: Record and listen to yourself.
   Step 2: Pay attention to your energy, power, rhythm, and emotion.
   Step 3: Watch the intonation video in the pronunciation & fluency section of Step Three.
   Step 4: Use example answers as a way to mimic a native speaker’s energy, power, rhythm, and emotion.
7. Am I aware of my “trouble sounds” and do I work to improve them (2 or more “trouble sounds” will need improvement)?
   Step 1: Record and listen to yourself.
   Step 2: Use the videos in the pronunciation & fluency section to identify if you have trouble sounds.
   Step 3: Keep track of the sounds you struggle with.
   Step 4: Use example answers as a way to mimic the way a native speaker pronounces the sounds you struggle with.
8. Can I think of reasons and examples?
   Step 1: Review great content in Step Three
   Step 2: Create a cheat sheet for example answers and reasons.
   Step 3: Try preparing by thinking of your example before you think of your reasons.
   Step 4: Find something general about the question to help you connect your own experience with the question (e.g., “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Old houses with character are better than new, modern houses.” –> think of the houses you’ve lived in in your lifetime).
   Step 5: Always use a truthful example.
9. Do I take effective notes that help me answer the questions smoothly,
   accurately, and clearly?
   Step 1: Review Step One to understand what is being conveyed in the lectures and discussions for 3 through 6.
   Step 2: Review Notes video and note-taking structure in your system.
   Step 3: Work on taking notes that focus on subjects, verbs, and objects (SVO).
   Step 4: Write out only one idea (SVO) in each new line.
   Step 5: Work on using understandable abbreviations and misspellings to shorten the length of the words in your notes.
10. Do I understand the content in the listening passages?
    Step 1: Review Step One to understand what is being conveyed in the lectures. Trust that it will always provide an argument that contrasts the article.
    Step 2: Work on dictation.
    Step 3: Use the reading passages (for 3 & 4) to help you anticipate what information will be important or relevant.
    Step 4: Work on listening comprehension by listening anything that you enjoy that is slightly advanced, but not so advanced that you cannot follow it.
11. Do I understand the content in the reading passages?
    Step 1: Review Step One to understand what is being conveyed in the passages for 3 and 4.
    Step 2: Remember the language cues to help you scan the text quickly (e.g., “this is when…”, “scientists call this…”, etc.).
    Step 3: Work on reading comprehension by reading anything that you enjoy that is slightly advanced, but not so advanced that you cannot follow it.