Intermediate Speaking Practice
Level: A2
Skill: Speaking
Topic: Greetings & Introductions
Time: 20–25 minutes
exercise 1: what have you been up to? (pronoun cycle)
Say the pronoun cycle for each phrase.
I have been … lately.
You have been … lately.
He has been … lately.
She has been … lately.
It has been … lately.
We have been … lately.
You have been … lately.
They have been … lately.
expressions to use:
working hard · studying a lot · travelling
very busy · quite tired · really well · keeping fit
Now repeat the cycle with recently.
I have been … recently.
You have been … recently.
He has been … recently.
She has been … recently.
It has been … recently.
We have been … recently.
You have been … recently.
They have been … recently.
expressions to use:
meeting new people · exploring the city · trying new food
catching up with friends · settling in · getting used to things
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 2: small talk (substitution drill)
Say each phrase until comfortable.
What do you think of the weather?
Have you tried the food here?
Are you here for long?
What do you do in your free time?
Do you come here often?
Now say the response for each phrase.
I think the weather is … . / I find it … .
Yes, I have tried … and I loved it! / Not yet but I would like to!
I am here for … . / Just a few days. / For a while actually.
In my free time I … . / I enjoy … .
Yes, I come here … . / No, this is my first time actually!
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 3: question tags (substitution drill)
Say the statement and question tag for each phrase.
You’re new here, aren’t you?
You’re from … , aren’t you?
You’ve been here before, haven’t you?
You haven’t been here long, have you?
It’s a nice place, isn’t it?
You’re enjoying it here, aren’t you?
You don’t know many people here, do you?
You’ve met … before, haven’t you?
Now say the response for each tag.
Yes, that’s right! / Yes, I am!
Yes, I am! / Actually, I’m from … .
Yes, I have! / No, actually this is my first time!
No, not very long. / Actually I have been here for … .
Yes, it’s lovely! / I think so too!
Yes, very much! / It’s been wonderful so far!
No, not many. / Actually I know a few people!
Yes, we have! / No, I don’t think so!
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 4: did you say? (echo dialogue)
Say the dialogue for each phrase.
name
A: My name is … .
B: Did you say your name is … ?
A: Yes, that’s right. My name is … !
B: Oh, what a lovely name!
from
A: I’m from … .
B: Did you say you are from … ?
A: Yes, that’s right. I’m from … !
B: Oh, how wonderful!
live
A: I live in … .
B: Did you say you live in … ?
A: Yes, that’s right. I live in … !
B: Oh, what a great city!
job
A: I work as a … .
B: Did you say you work as a … ?
A: Yes, that’s right. I work as a … !
B: Oh, how interesting!
here
A: I have been here for … .
B: Did you say you have been here for … ?
A: Yes, that’s right. For … !
B: Oh, not very long then! / Oh, quite a while then!
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 5: full introduction (dialogue)
Say the full dialogue.
A: Hello! How are you?
B: I’m well, thank you! How have you been?
A: Really well, thank you! My name is … . What is yours?
B: My name is … . Nice to meet you!
A: Nice to meet you too! Can I ask where you are from?
B: Of course! I’m from … . What about you?
A: I’m from … . How long have you been here?
B: I have been here for … . / I have been here since … .
A: Oh really? What brings you here?
B: I’m here for … . Do you come here often?
A: Yes, quite often actually! / No, this is my first time!
B: Oh, how interesting! What do you think of it so far?
A: I think it’s … ! It was lovely meeting you!
B: Lovely meeting you too! Let’s keep in touch!
A: Absolutely! Take care!
B: You too! Goodbye!
