I was giving some students a practice speaking test the other day and I noticed something that worried me. All students learn those set phrases for Part 3 and Part 4 of the First Certificate speaking test. You know, those phrases for interacting with your partner. Examples:

Yes, I agree with you.

I don't agree with you.

Etc. The problem was that as I was testing lots of students, I noticed the same sentences again and again and no real intonation. They just sounded as if they had been learned like a parrot learns them... In this podcast I'm going to offer you a model answer for Part 4 of the FCE speaking test and how to make your set phrases sound more natural and authentic. Come to www.practisingenglish.com podcast 125 for the written version...

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