LESSON 1: SPEAKING PART 1

I/ SPEAK AT LENGTH: 2-4 sentences

Eg: What subjects do you like most at school?

Form of an IELTS SPEAKING PART 1 answer

-CONFIRM: - ANSWER DIRECTLY TO THE QUESTION
-EXTEND:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

II/ Connectives/ Fluency markers:
What are connectives and discourse/ fluency markers????
Answer:
Connectives: - connect sentences/ ideas

● Besides (that) …

● Moreover … = More than that …

● Furthermore …

● On top of that …

● In addition to st … = Additionally …

● On the one hand……

● On the other hand …

● On the flip (negative) side … >< On the bright (positive) side …

● More importantly

● However…

Fillers/ Discourse markers

● Well …,
● Actually …
● As for me ……
● You know … = As you know … = As you may know …
● To be honest … = To be frank …
● Honestly (speaking) … = Frankly (speaking) …
● To begin with …
● I mean … = What I mean is …
● How to say … = Let me think …

TOPIC FOR PRACTICE:

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Home/ accommodation
1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
2. Who do you live with?
3. How long have you lived there?
4. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you
have lived in the past? Do you plan to live there for a long time?
5. Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
6. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
7. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat? Please describe the room you
live in.
8. What part of your home do you like the most ?

Neighbor
Do you think neighbors are important?
How can we get along with our neighbors?
Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with one's neighbors?

Travelling on public transport

What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
Did you take public transportation when you were a kid?
When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when
you are travelling?

LESSON 2: GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY

IELTS SPEAKING PART 1: Hometown

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 GRAMMAR - GRAMMATICAL RANGES
- Sentence structures:

● Simple sentence

● Complex sentence

● Compound sentences

Ex1: Where is your hometown?

⮚ Simple sentence (S + V): You know, I come from Hanoi./ I have been
living there for 10 years.
⮚ Complex sentence (S1 + V1, V2): Actually, I come from Hanoi city,
which is the capital of Vietnam.
I come from Hanoi (which is) located to the North of Vietnam
⮚ Compound sentence (S1 + V1, S2 + V2): To be honest, I come from
Hanoi and I have been living there for 10 years.

Ex2: Do you like going swimming?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 ⮚ Frankly speaking, I am a big lover of water so I enjoy swimming so
much. Actually, when I was a kid, my grandfather already taught me how
to swim. That’s why I am really keen on going swimming and I will
maintain this habit as long as possible.

CÁC LỖI CƠ BẢN THƯỜNG GẶP:

Complex Sentences in Speaking

Q: “What subjects do you (or, did you) study in high school?”

Band Score 5: “I studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, History, English and

Literature.”

Better version: “Well, I studied Maths, which was my favourite subject

because I always got a high score for Maths in the exams, Physics,
Chemistry, History, which I found a little boring because I don't enjoy just
memorizing a lot of dates, English and, of course, Literature, which is a
compulsory subject for all students in Vietnam.”

Some Exercises on Complex Sentences

1.“I need to learn English. English is very important. English will help me get a
good job. I want to work in international trade. I'm studying international trade
right now.”

“I need to learn English ______ is very important _________ it’ll help

me get a good job in international trade_______ I'm studying right
now.”

2. “I work in a software company. I’m a computer programmer. My work is

quite challenging. Our clients usually want us to write programs in a short
period of time.”

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

“I work in a software company _______ a computer programmer
_________ is quite a challenging job __________ our clients usually want
us to write programs in a short period of time.”

3. “I like watching films. Watching films is my favourite pastime. I like

comedy films. I don’t like violent films. I don’t like horror films.”

“Watching films, _______ comedy, is my favourite pastime ________ I

don’t like films with a lot of violence _______ crime films.”

4. “I don’t ride my bicycle very often. I take the bus to university. It’s faster. I
do use my bicycle on the weekends. At that time I have no classes.”

“I don’t ride my bicycle very often ___________ it’s faster to take the bus
to university _________ I do use it on the weekends ________ I have no
classes.”

5. “I’m interested in sport. There are many other things that I’m interested in.
I’m interested in computers and music.”

“I’m interested in sport __________, ______________, there are many

other things that I’m interested in, ________ computers and music.”

6. “Three years ago, my father gave me some good advice. This advice was
very useful. It saved me from making a very unsuitable career choice.”

“Three years ago, my father gave me some good advice _________ was
very useful ____________ it saved me from making a very unsuitable
career choice.”

7. “When I was in Second Year of high school, I had a maths teacher. His
name was Mr. Wang. He really changed my life. He inspired me to love
mathematics.”

“When I was in Second Year of high school, I had a maths teacher named
Mr. Wang ________ really changed my life ________ inspiring me to
love mathematics.”

8. “To tell you the truth, I don't play much sport. I don't walk much. I drive
my car everywhere. I drive my car to my office. My office is near my home. I
sometimes play table tennis. I'm quite good at table tennis. I know more
exercise would give me more energy. I just don't seem to find the time for
exercise. I'm too busy with my work.”

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 “To tell you the truth, I don't play much sport ________ do I walk much
_________ I drive my car everywhere, __________ to my office,
__________ is near my home. _____________ I sometimes play table
tennis, ____________ I'm quite good at. I know I'd have more energy
________ I did more exercise _________ I just don't seem to find the time
for exercise___________ I'm too busy with my work.”

Practice:

Social Media
Do you like to use social media?
Do you think your friends use too much social media?
Do you want to work in social media? Why?
What’s the most popular social media in VietNam? Why?

Books and Reading habits

Do you often read books? When?
Do you read differently now than you did before?
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?

Watch a small clip to see how native speakers express their simple feelings
in an advanced way: https://youtu.be/_uQDCru94nA
-Collect it and understand the meaning

Vocabulary about feelings

Happy

Sad

Angry

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 Tired

Confused

Happiness (examples) 2-4 sentences

1. Is there anything that makes you feel happy lately?
2. What do you do to stay happy?
3. Can you stay happy all the time?
4. Is it important to be happy?
5. Can you cheer people up when they are sad?

Birthday
What do you usually do on your birthday?
What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?
Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in VietNam?

LESSON 3: IMPROVE YOUR LEXICAL RESOURCES

Talking about your Hobbies

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 1. Have a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length:
Topic-related vocabularies
WORD FAMILY

Doing (n)
sports
(a)

(v)
(phrase)

(idiom)

⇒ Từ vựng chỉ có giá trị khi được đặt đúng CONTEXT

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 2. Generally paraphrase successfully
a. Tôi thích dành thời gian chơi thể thao với bạn bè. (Synonyms)

b. Tôi có một niềm đam mê với thời trang (Collocation - kết hợp từ)

c. Chúng ta cần giải quyết mâu thuẫn hiệu quả hơn (Restructure).

Practice: ÁP DỤNG VOCAB PLEASE

Doing sports
What sports do you like?
Where did you learn how to do it?
Did you do some sports when you were young?
Do you think students need more exercise?
Boring things
What will you do when you feel bored?
What kind of things are boring to you?
Whom do you think get bored easily, the young or the old?
Do you think school is boring?
Housework and Cooking
Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home now?
Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Do you have breakfast at home every day?
Do you want to learn how to cook well?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Old Buildings
Have you ever seen some old building in the city?
Do you think we should keep old buildings in cities?
Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?

Old (n)
Buildings
(history)
(a)

(v)
(phrase)

(idiom)

LESSON 4: REVIEW SPEAKING PART 1

PRONUNCIATION

Home/ accommodation
1. What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 2. Who do you live with?
3. How long have you lived there?
4. What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you
have lived in the past? Do you plan to live there for a long time?
5. Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
6. Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
7. Do you prefer living in a house or a flat? Please describe the room you
live in.
8. What part of your home do you like the most ?

Neighbor
Do you think neighbors are important?
How can we get along with our neighbors?
Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with one's neighbors?

Travelling on public transport

What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
Did you take transportation when you were a kid?
When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when
you are
travelling?

Social Media
Do you like to use social media?
Do you think your friends use too much social media?
Do you want to work in social media? Why?
What’s the most popular social media in VietNam? Why?

Books and Reading habits

Do you often read books? When?
Do you read differently now than you did before?
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Happiness (examples) 2-4 sentences
1. Is there anything that makes you feel happy lately?
2. What do you do to stay happy?
3. Can you stay happy all the time?
4. Is it important to be happy?
5. Can you cheer people up when they are sad?

Birthday
What do you usually do on your birthday?
What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?
Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in VietNam?

Doing sports
What sports do you like?
Where did you learn how to do it?
Did you do some sports when you were young?
Do you think students need more exercise?
Boring things
What will you do when you feel bored?
What kind of things are boring to you?
Whom do you think get bored easily, the young or the old?
Do you think school is boring?
Housework and Cooking
Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home now?
Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Do you have breakfast at home every day?
Do you want to learn how to cook well?
Old Buildings
Have you ever seen some old building in the city?
Do you think we should keep old buildings in cities?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?

EXTRA TOPICS:
Singing
Do you like singing? Why?
Have you ever learnt how to sing?
Who do you want to sing for?
Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Technology
What technology do you often use, computers or mobile phones?
What electronic devices have you bought lately?
Are there any technology you want to buy?
What’s the benefit of technology?
Advertisements
Where can you see advertisements?
Do you want to be shown in the advertisement?
What kind of advertisements do you dislike?
Have you ever bought something because of its advertisement?
Computers and Tablet
In what conditions would you use a computer?
When was the first time you used a computer?
What will your life be like without computers?
In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer?

LESSON 5: PART 1 TEST

REFLECTION: After listening to trainer’s comments, you should note
down these things:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 Your Strength Your Weakness How to improve

Fluency and
Coherence
Grammatical
Ranges
Lexical
Resources
Pronunciation

LESSON 6: IELTS SPEAKING PART 2

DESCRIBE A PERSON
A. Form of IELTS SPEAKING PART 2:
Topic: Person, Place, Object, Event, Others
Eg:

Describe a close friend.

You should say:

Who is he/ she

How long you have known this

person

What she/ he looks like

And explain why you like him/her.

(what kind of person he/she is)

- You are given:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

A cue card => TOPIC (Describe…) + SUGGESTION (questions) [people,
places, objects, events, others]
A piece of paper + a pencil => TAKE NOTE
“Now you have 1 minute to take note anything you want”
“Now you will have 1 to 2 minutes to speak on this topic for me, don’t worry
if the time is up because I will remind you” => Always speak in 2 minutes.

B. OUTLINE:
Opening (1~2 sentences)
- For today, I would like to tell you about [topic], which/ who is …
- When receiving this topic, the first [topic/ person] coming to my mind is …
-The person I would like to describe is my best friend, whose name is Linh
-I’m going to tell you about my best friend…
-I’m gonna share with you about ….
+.....
Body
- Describe (WH questions) = 50%

● D1

● D2

● D3

- Explain (Exp) = 50%

● Reason 1

● Reason 2

Ending: feeling, memory, lesson, appreciation, wish, dream…

Vocabulary Collecting:
1. Watch a video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrk-cvJyAuo to
collect some words for the topic.
WHO:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

-a former colleague/ co-worker/ partner
-a friend of mine = my friend
-my buddy/ bestie/ bro/ soulmate
-a bosom friend
-an acquaintance
-the most intelligent/ interesting … person I have ever known
HOW YOU KNOW THIS PERSON:
-I first met X one year ago
-I have known X for donkey’s years/ for a long time
-We go back a long time…
-We have grown up together ~we spent our childhood and adolescent years
together
-Accidentally met at a meeting…

What she/ he looks like:

PERSONALITY:

Adjectives to describe a person’s traits, quality

Bốc đồng: impulsive, rash Khôn ngoan: wise, shrewd, sensible,
level-headed
Bướng bỉnh, cứng đầu: stubborn, Kiên định: steadfast, persistent,
obstinate tenacious
Cầu toàn: a perfectionist Khó tính: picky, hard-to-please, fussy,
choosy
Chăm chỉ: hard-working, industrious, Kiêu ngạo: arrogant, cocky, haughty

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

diligent
Lạnh lùng, không thân thiện: aloof
Có khí chất: charismatic Nói nhiều: chatty, talkative
Có năng lực: capable, competent Nóng tính, khó chịu: bad-tempered,
irritable, grabby, grumpy
Dũng cảm: courageous, spunky, Sáng tạo: creative, inventive,
fearless resourceful
Dễ bị tác động, ảnh hưởng: Tài năng: talented, gifted
impressionable
Dễ tin người: gullible, credulous Nhỏ nhen, ích kỉ: mean, selfish, nasty
Giàu kinh nghiệm, kĩ năng tốt: Thân thiện, hòa đồng: friendly,
experienced, skilled, skillful, sociable, easy-going
accomplished,
Giỏi diễn đạt: articulate, having a nice Thất thường: temperamental, fickle,
turn of phrase moody
Hài hước: funny, humorous, have a Thông minh: Intelligent, smart,
great sense of humor brilliant, agile
Hào phóng: generous, selfless, Thực tế: down-to-earth, pragmatic,
lavish+in/with sth realistic, practical, outspoken
Hiểu biết: knowledgeable, well- Tinh ý: perceptive, mindful
rounded
Hoài nghi: skeptical Tỉ mỉ: fastidious, meticulous
Chủ động: active Cầu tiến: progressive

Topic: Describe a close friend

A. Opening
B. Body

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 C. Ending

1. Describe a person that you enjoy spending time with

You should say:

Who this person is
How you knew him/her
What you usually do together
And explain why you like to spend time with him/her

2. Describe a family member you might like to work with in the future
You should say:
Who the member is
What kind of work you want to do with him or her
What he or she did impress you most
And explain why you would like to work with him or her
3. Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting
Who it was
When he/she inspired you
What she could do to inspire you
And explain why he/she inspired you

LESSON 7: DESCRIBE A PLACE

B. OUTLINE:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Opening (1~2 sentences)
- For today, I would like to tell you about [topic], which/ who is …
- When receiving this topic, the first [topic/ person] coming to my mind is …
-The person I would like to describe is my best friend, whose name is Linh
-I’m going to tell you about my best friend…
-I’m gonna share with you about ….
+.....
Body
- Describe (WH questions) = 50%

● D1

● D2

● D3

- Explain (Exp) = 50%

● Reason 1

● Reason 2

Ending: feeling, memory, lesson, appreciation, wish, dream…

A. Review Describe a PERSON

B. Describe a PLACE
SOME SUGGESTED VOCABS FOR DESCRIBING A PLACE

1. Where it is? What that place is?

● it is located right in the heart/center of Hanoi, a metropolis with millions
of city dwellers (metropolis - cosmopolitan)
● it lies in the middle of a very residential area of Hanoi, steps to bus
stations, shops, cafes, etc.
● it is situated in the northeastern corner of Hanoi, getting a very
convenient distance from every kind of public facilities.
● it is 30 miles to the north of HCMC, a vibrant place.

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 ● it is a lovely homestay that lies on top of a hill / it lies in a mountainous
area
● it is at the foot of the mountains/ in the foothills of the mountains
● it is in a coastal city, just within walking distance of the beach / just a
short distance from the beach / it is a stone’s throw of the beach

2. Time

When was the first time you got there

● on my birthday — one of the most important turning points/milestones in

one’s life, which marks my maturity. my mother gave me a trip to this
place as a present
● on Tet holiday —which is considered as a family’s reunion, my parents
and I go on a holiday... to make up for their lost time when being tied up
at the office all year round.
● on summer vacation —when I could free myself from the mountain of
deadlines at school and decided to go on a trip in x.
● I came there after passing the exam with flying colors as an award for
my constant efforts during a nerve-racking period of preparation.

How often do you come there?

● I come there on a daily basis when I have free/ spare time

● I pay a visit to that place nine times out of ten
● I just come there once in a while when I am raking in money since the
admission costs an arm and a leg = cost a fortune
● the admission costs nothing so I often come there when I am broke and
can’t afford other places
● I come here from time to time, just on special occasions

3. Features
What it looks like
What kind of the place is
Natural places
- it brings peaceful atmosphere with trees and flowers
- where the nature displays its beauty
- where I can unwind (relax) and stay away from the
hustle and bustle of city life
- untouched nature here is magnificent where i can
immerse myself in the atmosphere of thousands of
years ago

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 - give people a sense of tranquility that helps them
relieve unpleasant feelings
Modern places
- a metropolis with millions of people and high
buildings
- citizens have got a convenient distance from public
transportation
- where people can get access to high-quality services
- a vibrant place with shops and restaurants opening all
night
- a bustling area where people’s lives are on the street
where
people live a nocturnal life (night life) in that
sleepless city
Historical places
- ancient place with traditional architecture
- where people come to pray for luck, health and wealth
- remind visitors of the sacrifice and contribution of our
ancestors
- where I can find peace in mind
- where students can dig deeper into historical values /
identities
- give people a sense of tranquility and temporarily
forget their
hectic life
- where I can go for soul-searching
Recreational
places - where people can soak up (= immerse themselves in)
tons of funs after a tiring day
- people come here to release high levels of stress after
a long day of considerable/ heavy workload
- where they can enjoy exquisite meals prepared by top
chefs
- where people can refresh their mind and recharge
their battery in order to well prepare for new things
- where they can socialize with their close friends or
make new
ones to broaden their social circle.

4. Benefits

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Why do you like that place?

● it is so quiet and I can revise for the upcoming exam and stay 100% focus
on my study
● it is private enough for me to have solitude and time for myself, to think
long and hard about my future career path
● the trip to that place can open my mind, help me find new inspiration/ get
more motivated to explore more new things
● that place is a wonderful hideaway from hustle and bustle of city life,
bringing me a great sense of comfort and relaxation
● the trip gives me the chance to make friends with people from all walks
of life, then widen my circle of friends and acquaintances
● that is the place of memory where I share quality time with my best
friends who have gone through ups and downs with me

Practice:

Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend to

visitors/travelers

What it is

Where it is

What people can do there

And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers

Describe a place you visited once but don’t want to visit it again
You should say:
What the place is
Why you went there
Why you don’t want to go there again
And explain how you feel about this place
Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium or something)
Where it is
When you went there

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place

LESSON 8: IELTS SPEAKING PART 3

(Part 2 - place)

I. IELTS Speaking Part 3

Part 1 Easy Interview (Q&A) Personal 1 type

Part 3 Difficult Discussion Social 3 types
problems

Describe a famous person that you are interested in

You should say:
Who he/she is
How you knew about him/her
What he/she was like before he/she became famous

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

And explain why you are interested in him/her
TOPIC:

PART 3: QUESTION TYPES:

1. Popularity (Hỏi về sự phổ biến)

2. Comparing (câu hỏi so sánh)

3. Why question (Câu hỏi nguyên nhân)

4. Advantages / Disadvantages (Câu hỏi về thuận lợi/ bất lợi)

5. Predicting (câu hỏi dự đoán)

6. Problems and Solutions (Câu hỏi về vấn đề và giải pháp)

II. How to answer?

A LONG RESPONSE
(>5 sentences)
CONFIRM EXTEND
Ví dụ: Do you think there are too many game shows on TV nowadays?
Why?
Absolutely, there are far too I suppose the channels show these
many TV programmes because they are popular, and
game shows these days and they must be very
there are profitable. (2) A good example is 'Who

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

many reasons for that. (1) wants to be a millionaire?', which has been
sold to TV channels across the world and
brought a huge profit to the TV station. (3)
Furthermore, I think another reason comes
from the increasing demand for
entertainment nowadays. (4) People now
with higher living conditions have more
time to relax than they did ever before. (5)
As a result, they expect there are more and
more recreational shows to enjoy with
family during dinner time. (6)

TOPIC SENTENCE - EXPLANATION - EXAMPLE (RESULTS)

TECHNIQUES TO ANSWER IELTS SPEAKING PART 3 QUESTIONS:
EXTEND YOUR ANSWER: https://youtu.be/TIhXXiw_Unk
1. Why? - give explanations/ reasons.
2. Give examples
3. Speculate
4. Show the other side of the argument - support
5. Filler phrases
6. Be honest
7. Interact with examiners.
Advantages & Disadvantages
To be good for
Have a positive/desirable influence/ impact/ effect on
To make a contribution to
To create favorable conditions for somebody to do sth
To be bad for
Have a negative/ undesirable influence/ impact/ effect on
Put something in danger/ Put something at risk/ Pose threat to something

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Endanger/ Threaten something
To be harmful/ detrimental to
Problems & Solutions
There are some serious/thorny/alarming problems namely...
This can cause/trigger some trouble like....
There are some ways to tackle these problems ....
Those problems could be solved by some methods…

PRACTICE:
Describe a place you visited once but don’t want to visit it again
You should say:
What the place is
Why you went there
Why you don’t want to go there again
And explain how you feel about this place
Part 3:
1. What type of apartment do most people in your country like to live in?
2. Do people in your country like to invite others as guests?
3. Do people take gifts when they visit each other?
4. What is the difference between the houses in the city center and the suburbs?
Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium or something)
Where it is
When you went there
What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place
Part 3
Do young people like to do sports?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

What are the benefits of sports for children?
Is it necessary to build public sports spaces?
What do you think of companies donating sports venues for poor children?
Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend to
visitors/travelers
What it is
Where it is
What people can do there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers
Part 3
Is it important to take photos while traveling?
Can you trust other people’s travel journals on the Internet?
What factors affect how people feel about travel?

LESSON 8: Part 3 (cont)

HOW TO SAY “I DON’T KNOW” IN IELTS – Be honest

FILLERS:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 1. Describe a person that you enjoy spending time with

You should say:

Who this person is
How you knew him/her
What you usually do together
And explain why you like to spend time with him/her
Part 3:
Is it better to communicate face to face or online? Why?
Do you think it is impossible to make real friends on the internet?
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
What do you think it takes to become friends?
What do you talk about with your friends?
Do you think you can be friends with strangers?
How should you treat a stranger?
2. Describe a family member you might like to work with in the future
You should say:
Who the member is
What kind of work you want to do with him or her
What he or she did impress you most
And explain why you would like to work with him or her
Part3:
What kinds of family business are common in Vietnam?
Why do people want to do family business?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

 3. Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting
Who it was
When he/she inspired you
What she could do to inspire you
And explain why he/she inspired you
Part 3
Which types of people become role models in your society?
Do you agree that famous people have more responsibilities than ordinary
people?
What happens when young people lack good role models?
What standards of behaviour should teachers set?

LESSON 10: OBJECT/THING

A. REVIEW: PERSON + PLACE
B. PRACTICE

Describe an item on that you bought and regretted

You should say:
What it is
How much you spent on it
Why you bought it
And explain why you think you spent more than expected
Part 3:
1. Do you often buy more than expected?
2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?
3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?
4. Do people buy things they don’t need?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that is important in your home
You should say:
• What it is
• How often you use it
• With whom you use it
• And explain why it is important
Part 3:
1.What kinds of machines are used for housework in modern homes in your
country?
2.How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of
using them?
3. Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the
future? Why?
Describe something to you that your family has had for a long time
You should say:
What t is
When you family had it
How your family got it
And explain why it is important for you
Part 3:
1. What things do families keep for a long time?
2. What’s the difference between things valued by people in the past and today?
3. What kinds of things are kept in museums?
4. What’s the influence of technology on museums?

VOCAB HIGHLIGHT

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1. How you get the object

Where

Purchase on the Internet

• use price-comparison websites to find the best deals

• place an online order

• get it delivered to where I live

• felt excited to see it for the first time

Purchase it at a local store

• come to pick it up by myself to get a feel for whether it fits for purpose.

-try it on/ dress it on/ compare the material/ check the quality

When & From Whom

• given by a friend as a thank-you gift after i do him/her a favor

• a reward from parents when i pass the exam with flying colors

• passed from generation to generation in my family

• a birthday present from a beloved person

• a free gift when I won the lucky draw

How much

• cost a fortune = cost an arm and a leg

• spend up to (an amount of money) to buy

• good value for money

• a bit pricey but I could justify it because of its uses/high quality

• have to bargain to get the price down

• reasonably priced — worth every penny

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• inexpensive — there was a special offer/ a discount

-to waste money = (a) money-wasting = money -consuming >< save money =
money-saving = economical = thrifty (a)

2. How often you use it

Use it on a daily basis

• it serves a wide variety of purposes — use it every once in a while

• cherish it — treasure it — put it away most of the times

• cannot put it down— put it to good use — one of my go-to items

• feel reluctant to lend it to other people

Use it from time to time

• would like to keep it in good condition

• only use it under specific circumstance

Have not even used it - Put it away and never touch it

• pass it on to someone else for free

• sell it on ... and hope to make back part of the money spent

• it is somewhere covered in dust

• user-friendly — get a grip of using it quite fast

• do not have the foggiest idea how to use it — take a long time to use it
properly

3. Why you like the object

Relating material values

• it benefits my life positively

• time-efficient & labour-saving

• bring me fame and fortune

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• maximize the productivity of work/study

• enhance work/study efficiency

• enhance my social status

• promote my personal image in others' eyes

Relating spiritual values

• serve as a constant reminder of memory

• make me reminisce the memory that never dies

• tighten the family bonds

• change my mind and my life for the better

• a source of motivation and inspiration

• a reason for me to move on

• a representative of my dear grandmother

LESSON 11: DESCRIBE AN EVENT/ OCCASION

1. Time and Place

When it happened
A special occasion
• an anniversary, a birthday (for my sweet sixteen - milestone/ turning point),
the graduation ceremony,....
Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Mid-Autumn Festival,...
Something joyful
• a big night out, an all-out party, a festive celebration, … a single party

Where it happened
At home
• in the spacious/crampy living/dining room — kind of cozy/ comfortable/
comfy/
intimate.
• at the front yard/backyard/courtyard — a lovely green space with lots of shade
— get

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

to soak up the fresh air — commune with nature
At work
• in a meeting room/ In a conference room/hall
• in a big company with hundreds of people working intensively
• very well equipped with a life-saving air-conditioner
At typical get-together venues
• A fancy/local restaurant — have to make a reservation because it does get
booked
out
• A coffee shop — rent space with quite a reasonable/ an exorbitant price

Why it happened

To commemorate a milestone/ landmark/ important event in your life

• a golden/silver anniversary of a couple
• your grandparents enter their 80s
• passed an exam with flying colours and achieved a scholarship
Just to see your family members/friends again
• cement your friendship
• have quality time with your ...
• strike up new friendships/ broaden your social circles

2. People there
Who were there
Friends and family
• a union — surrounded by your loved ones - you get to see people you haven’t
seen
for ages
• still, a bit uncomfortable when people get too inquisitive about your marital
status
and your jobs
Colleagues and boss
• have to keep a straight face and stay in character
• formulate my thoughts very carefully before putting anything out there
A sea of strangers
• felt a bit detached from everyone else/ filled with a sense of isolation/
overwhelmed by loneliness
• wanted to reach out to other people/ strike up a conversation with someone
else
3.During the event

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

4. After the event
Took some photos
• post them on social media such as Facebook to share with my friends and
family
• looking at them takes you down the memory lane, thinking about that day
• keep them in my memory card
• print some of them out and store them in an extra special place (a photo album
or a
drawer)
• it serves as a reminder of a beautiful memory
Keep it in mind as an unforgettable memory
• the very moment never dies in my mind
• that memory serves a source of motivation when I feel down
• thinking about it pleases my mind, brings me a sense of happiness
• it marks a turning point in my life that I never forget

Describe a time when you helped a child

When it was
Why you helped him/her
How you helped him/her
And explain how you felt about it
Part3:
Do you often help kids? How?
Do you think people will do a lot of volunteering to help their neighbors?
Who benefit more from the volunteer services, the volunteers or the people
helped?
What can schools do to develop students’ awareness of volunteering?
Describe an important event in your life that you celebrated
What the event was
When it happened
Who attended the event
And explain how you feel about the event

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Part 3
Do you like to celebrate important events? Why?
What kinds of events do people usually celebrate?
Do people often celebrate events with a large group of people or just a few
people?
Do people often celebrate festivals with families?

LESSON 12: REVIEW PART 1+2+3

Home/ accommodation
What kind of housing/accommodation do you live in?
Who do you live with?
How long have you lived there?
What’s the difference between where you are living now and where you have
lived in the past? Do you plan to live there for a long time?
Which room does your family spend most of the time in?
Are the transport facilities to your home very good?
Do you prefer living in a house or a flat? Please describe the room you live in.
What part of your home do you like the most ?

Neighbor
Do you think neighbors are important?
How can we get along with our neighbors?
Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with one's neighbors?

Travelling on public transport

What kind of public transportation do you usually take?
Do most people prefer public transportation in your country?
Did you take transportation when you were a kid?
When do you usually take public transportation, in your everyday life or when
you are travelling?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Social Media
Do you like to use social media?
Do you think your friends use too much social media?
Do you want to work in social media? Why?
What’s the most popular social media in VietNam? Why?

Books and Reading habits

Do you often read books? When?
Do you read differently now than you did before?
Have you ever read a novel that has been adapted into a film?
Which do you prefer, reading books or watching movies?

Happiness (examples) 2-4 sentences

Is there anything that makes you feel happy lately?
What do you do to stay happy?
Can you stay happy all the time?
Is it important to be happy?
Can you cheer people up when they are sad?

Birthday
What do you usually do on your birthday?
What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
Do you think it is important for you to celebrate your birthday?
Whose birthday do you think is the most important to celebrate in VietNam?

Doing sports
What sports do you like?
Where did you learn how to do it?
Did you do some sports when you were young?
Do you think students need more exercise?
Boring things
What will you do when you feel bored?
What kind of things are boring to you?
Whom do you think get bored easily, the young or the old?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Do you think school is boring?
Housework and Cooking
Do you do some cooking/help your family cook at home now?
Did you do some house cleaning when you were young?
Do you have breakfast at home every day?
Do you want to learn how to cook well?
Old Buildings
Have you ever seen some old building in the city?
Do you think we should keep old buildings in cities?
Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?

EXTRA TOPICS:
Singing
Do you like singing? Why?
Have you ever learnt how to sing?
Who do you want to sing for?
Do you think singing can bring happiness to people?
Technology
What technology do you often use, computers or mobile phones?
What electronic devices have you bought lately?
Are there any technology you want to buy?
What’s the benefit of technology?
Advertisements
Where can you see advertisements?
Do you want to be shown in the advertisement?
What kind of advertisements do you dislike?
Have you ever bought something because of its advertisement?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Computers and Tablet
In what conditions would you use a computer?
When was the first time you used a computer?
What will your life be like without computers?
In what conditions would it be difficult for you to use a computer?

Part 2+3

Part 2:
Describe a place you visited once but don’t want to visit it again
You should say:
What the place is
Why you went there
Why you don’t want to go there again
And explain how you feel about this place
Part 3:
1. What type of apartment do most people in your country like to live in?
2. Do people in your country like to invite others as guests?
3. Do people take gifts when they visit each other?
4. What is the difference between the houses in the city center and the suburbs?

Describe a popular place for sports (e.g. a stadium or something)

Where it is
When you went there
What you did there
And explain how you felt about this place

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Part 3
Do young people like to do sports?
What are the benefits of sports for children?
Is it necessary to build public sports spaces?
What do you think of companies donating sports venues for poor children?
Describe a place in your country that you would like to recommend to
visitors/travelers
What it is
Where it is
What people can do there
And explain why you would like to recommend it to visitors/travelers
Part 3
Is it important to take photos while traveling?
Can you trust other people’s travel journals on the Internet?
What factors affect how people feel about travel?

Describe a person that you enjoy spending time with

You should say:

Who this person is
How you knew him/her
What you usually do together
And explain why you like to spend time with him/her

Part 3:
Is it better to communicate face to face or online? Why?
Do you think it is impossible to make real friends on the internet?
Why is it hard to maintain friendships for some people?
What do you think it takes to become friends?
What do you talk about with your friends?
Do you think you can be friends with strangers?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

How should you treat a stranger?
Describe a family member you might like to work with in the future
You should say:
Who the member is
What kind of work you want to do with him or her
What he or she did impress you most
And explain why you would like to work with him or her
Part3:
What kinds of family business are common in Vietnam?
Why do people want to do family business?
Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting
Who it was
When he/she inspired you
What she could do to inspire you
And explain why he/she inspired you
Part 3
Which types of people become role models in your society?
Do you agree that famous people have more responsibilities than ordinary
people?
What happens when young people lack good role models?
What standards of behaviour should teachers set?
Describe an item on that you bought and regretted
You should say:
What it is
How much you spent on it
Why you bought it
And explain why you think you spent more than expected
Part 3:

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

1. Do you often buy more than expected?
2. What do you think young people spend most of their money on?
3. Do you think it is important to save money? Why?
4. Do people buy things they don’t need?

Describe a piece of electronic equipment that is important in your home

You should say:
• What it is
• How often you use it
• With whom you use it
• And explain why it is important
Part 3:
1.What kinds of machines are used for housework in modern homes in your
country?
2.How have these machines benefited people? Are there any negative effects of
using them?
3. Do you think all new homes will be equipped with household machines in the
future? Why?
Describe something to you that your family has had for a long time
You should say:
What t is
When you family had it
How your family got it
And explain why it is important for you
Part 3:
1. What things do families keep for a long time?
2. What’s the difference between things valued by people in the past and today?
3. What kinds of things are kept in museums?

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

4. What’s the influence of technology on museums?
Describe a time when you helped a child
When it was
Why you helped him/her
How you helped him/her
And explain how you felt about it
Part3:
Do you often help kids? How?
Do you think people will do a lot of volunteering to help their neighbors?
Who benefit more from the volunteer services, the volunteers or the people
helped?
What can schools do to develop students’ awareness of volunteering?
Describe an important event in your life that you celebrated
What the event was
When it happened
Who attended the event
And explain how you feel about the event
Part 3
Do you like to celebrate important events? Why?
What kinds of events do people usually celebrate?
Do people often celebrate events with a large group of people or just a few
people?
Do people often celebrate festivals with families?

REFLECTION: After listening to trainer’s comments, you should note

down these things:
Your Strength Your Weakness How to improve

_Trainer Thu Thuy_

Fluency and
Coherence
Grammatical
Ranges
Lexical
Resources
Pronunciation

_Trainer Thu Thuy_