CELPIP Speaking Tip: Speak DIRECTLY to the Listener

Hey Future Canuck,

Today I'm going to give you a super easy tip for CELPIP speaking, speak directly to the listener.

Did you know in CELPIP Speaking Task 1, 5, 6, and 8 you need to talk directly to the listener? This means you need to pretend you are sitting across from or on the phone to a person and speak to them. This may sound weird, this may sound odd, but this is what you need to do if you want to score high.

So, how do you speak directly to the listener?

I have three tips:

1. Introduction

2. Confirmation Checks

3. Conclusion

Watch this video to learn:

CELPIP Speaking Introduction

For these speaking tasks, you need to start your answer off by addressing the listener.

• How do you normally greet a friend?

• How do you normally greet a colleague?

• How do you normally start a voice message to your friend?

This is no different, you need to use the same English that you would normally use with a person in real life!

Examples:

Task 1: Hey John, I heard you were..

Task 5: Hey Maria, do you have a moment to talk?

Task 6: Hey John, can we chat for a moment?

Task 8: Hi Gloria, you'll never guess where I am...

Task 8: Hey John, I'm at the market and I've just seen....

CELPIP Speaking Confirmation Checks

When we are speaking to our friends, we generally use confirmation checks to make sure our friend is following us and our ideas. Using confirmation checks in your CELPIP speaking exam is probably the best way to ensure you speak directly to the speaker. Here's how:

Present an Idea + Use a Confirmation Check

Examples:

Task 1: The city has more opportunities than your hometown, right?

Task 5: If we choose your option, it will cost our business a lot of money, do you know what I mean?

Task 6: So these are the main reasons why I think we should choose the other option, are you following what I'm saying?

Task 8: I can't believe it's only $10, can you?

Using some of those confirmation checks will boost your CELPIP speaking score when you need to speak directly to the listener.

CELPIP Speaking Conclusion

Of course the conclusion is another great time for you to speak directly to the listener in CELPIP speaking. Think about how you normally end a phone call with a friend. Think about how you normally finish a conversation with a colleague or a neighbor. What do you say? Whenever you are finishing your answer for one of these questions, you need to acknowledge the listener and end the answer politely.

For me, I always use 'Anyways,' - this is a beautiful word to use. Anyways is a signal word. This means when a person hears 'anyways' - they know a new idea or shift in conversation is coming. Once you say 'Anyway,', you can say goodbye to your friend.

Examples:

Task 1: Anyways, I hope that advice helps you. Let me know how it goes.

Task 5: Anyways, I hope you see why I prefer the other option.

Task 6: Anyways, that's why I think we should do this.

Task 8: Anyways, let me know if you want me to pick it up for you.

Of course, it's not good to use ONLY 'Anyways,', so here are some alternatives:

Task 1: Okay, I need to go now, but let's catch up soon.

Task 1: Oh shoot, look at the time, I have to go.

Task 1: Okay, well let me know how it goes!

Task 5: I think that should cover it for now, I know you'll be fine with whatever you choose.

Task 5: So let me know what you think and I'll support you with your decision.

Task 6: I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Okay, please let me know what you think.

Task 8: So yeah let me know if you want me to pick it up for you, otherwise we'll chat soon!

And that is it my friends! This is a simple trick you can use to boost your CELPIP speaking score. Whenever you are in your CELPIP speaking exam, use this technique for CELPIP Speaking Tasks 1, 5, 6, and 8!

For now, I'm going to hit the road and brew some coffee.

Best of luck to you,

Ronan